Ruminant

xii

12.

Uchiha Itachi was looking forward to a quiet day of reading books and learning kanji.

After all, when he woke up, the sun was shining brightly, the birds were chirping happily, and his parents were doing their usual comforting morning routine.

In his opinion, there's absolutely no clue or whatsoever that his supposedly calm day would go down to whatever this was.

At least the sweets he got out of all of this were worth it.

-----

"Small animal," a high-pitched voice called out to him covertly from the bushes, startling Itachi from his comfortable position on one of the trees behind their house.

Scrambling around a bit to regain his composure, Itachi couldn't help but pout when he hesitantly turned to the caller. "It's Itachi, Shikari-san."

The brown-eyed girl just smirked, lips quirking in amusement, before demanding imperiously, "Come with me."

Surprised at the abrupt order, it took all of Itachi's courage and restraint to stop himself from going with the flow and protest at the request. The Nara was already moving forward - obviously expecting Itachi to follow. However, even though it made his chest hurt to let Shikari-san down, he had his concerns.

"Shikari-san," Itachi called out sheepishly.

When he's sure he got Shikari's attention, Itachi looked down and fidgeted with his sleeves - not wanting to see the reaction of his friend when he explained his plight. "Kaa-san would get worried," he shifted on his feet nervously, "I don't want to get in trouble."

Fighting the urge to cringe, Itachi braced himself for the possible rejection so it wouldn't hurt as much if his first friend left him just like those village kids did. Although he wanted Shikari-san to like him, Itachi couldn't bear the thought of his mother's disappointed face or his father's forbidding frown if they discovered that he wasn't acting as someone befitting his title.

He's the Uchiha heir, after all. He needed to set a good example.

Hearing the distinct rustle of bushes, Itachi was about to deflate sadly - thinking the worst, when he suddenly felt a hand on his head.

"Don't worry, small animal," Shikari mumbled, patting his hair gently. "I'll take care of everything. Besides, I got permission from kaa-san earlier. Here." She pushed a bento that he didn't notice was in her hands earlier. "Eat. Kaa-san prepared it this morning."

Head snapping up in surprise, Itachi could feel his cheeks burn in a mixture of gratitude and happiness.

It's...it's nice to be accepted like this.

"Arigatou."

As Itachi opened the container he was given gingerly, he absentmindedly followed the Nara's footsteps - looking at the rounded dumpling-like treats dubiously. Experimentally nibbling on one, Itachi couldn't help perk up at the taste. "This is delicious," he praised softly, "Your kaa-san's a really good cook."

He barely finished swallowing his third piece of the treat when he asked, "What is this food called Shikari-san?"

"Dango."

Itachi hummed, satisfied at the answer. It sounded just as tasty as it looked. He wondered if he could ask his mother to make some.

Turning towards his companion to inquire if there was a specific recipe or ingredient used to make it this yummy, Itachi did a double-take when he noticed a stick that seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the brown-eyed girl's hands.

Itachi wondered if they were going to play ninja.

He secretly hoped they wouldn't because the stick looked kind of dangerous.

It would probably hurt if he was hit since he's not very big.

"What is that stick for Shikari-san?" Itachi questioned hesitantly.

Shikari bared her teeth in a semblance of a smile. "For biting people to death."

He sighed in relief, then tilted his head confusedly. "Isn't that bad? Wouldn't our teeth fall out from biting hard muscles and bones?"

"That's why we'll use this." She waved the stick in front of him as if in explanation. Glancing at him fondly, Shikari continued, "It's to keep the peace and herd the herbivores to their proper place."

"Herbivores?"

"Carnivores and baby omnivores like you should learn how to discipline unruly herds," Shikari lectured seriously. "Herbivores are unruly, undisciplined people who disrupt the peace of the village."

It took Itachi a moment to comprehend what his friend just said and translate the words into simpler terms, but when he finally did, he nodded somberly. "Aah. Just like tou-san's job."

Smiling grimly, Itachi straightened his posture and looked Shikari in the eye. "I'll help."

The Nara smirked sharply and seemed to purr in satisfaction. "Good."