You're My Keeper

“Uchiha....” Imari whisper amazed as she stared at his crimson eyes. The snow began to fall quietly as the sky filled itself with white substance.

Wait a minute...He has the same uniform as me! This guy is in my squad?

“Your nothing but Konaha's dog!” The man yelled madly as he jumped at him. The young boy pushed his hand against Imari's stomach, far enough to make her press against his back.

“Fire Style: Dragon Fire!” He shouted as flames spread out his mouth, melting the falling snow.

“That kind of hurt...” laughed the man as he jumped back on another branch, “..not!”

Itachi glared up at him while Imari looked around to see themselves surrounded.

“Not again...”She muttered. Itachi turned to look at her for a slight second before he turned back to the mist ninja.

“Why are you not with your partner?” He asked. Imari frowned as she looked at him.

“Does that really matter, right now?”

This guy seems really familiar.....

“Attack!” called out the man as he himself joined in to ambush the two Konaha shinobi.

“I don't need your help! I can take care of myself!” Imari stated as she flung her arms and legs around, knocking men down.

“Really?” asked the Uchiha as he stabbed and cut off ninjas at once.

“Yes, really!” Imari scoffed as she jumped into the air.

Shit! I ran of of chakra!!

“Whoa! She can fly!”exclaimed one ninja before Imari landed on his face, pushing him to the ground.

“Well, how come your not using any of your chakra, 'Miss I can handle myself'!” Itachi teased as he speed forward to the ninja of the hidden mist and took him down.

“Shut up!” Hissed Imari as she managed to knock three more men down.

Itachi raised an eyebrow at her insult.

“I...can..do...this!” She said as she began to breathe heavily and started to wobble.

“I'm ending it here!” shouted Itachi as he grabbed hold of Imari's waist before she could fall over, “Fire Style: Art of the Phoenix Flower!!”

Imari's eyes dropped close as Itachi jumped away from the burning pile of humans, holding her in his arms.

That's right!

“Your....that guy...”Imari mumbled as tried to open her eyes, “from before...”

And after taking on more last glance at the boy, she fainted.

“What happened to her?” questioned a voice.

“I don't know but Nakajo told me she left him, what kind of person leaves her battle buddy when they need them?” commented another. Imari moaned at the sound of whispering around her.

“She's awake, go tell the captain!” informed a guy as Imari sat up.

“Where am I?” she inquired, looking around.

“Where aren't ya?” said the voice of her partner.

“Is this Konaha?” Imari asked trying to stand up but fell on her butt.

“I never did get your name, but mine is Nakajo...”said the man as he put out his hand to help her up. Imari shot him a death glare as she pushed his hand aside,”...That's right. I forgot you were miss independent”

“The captain would like to see you...”said a voice from behind her as she finally stood up, “He's inside the Hokage's office...”

Imari nodded and walked passed her teammates whom began to whisper and gossip about her. This didn't seem to bother Imari as she walked up the stairs of the Hokage's mansion, her mind was caught up with the young boy who had saved her today.

I can't believe he was in the same squad as me...

“You may come in,” spoke the old Hokage after Imari knocked on the door. And as the door cracked open, Imari was able to make out a very familiar face.

“It's you!” Imari shouted as she pointed foolishly towards who she met as Uchiha Itachi, “What are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to speak to your captain?” asked the Hokage rather surprised, “Imari?”

“C-Captain!?!” Imari yelled out as her eyes sprang wide open.

“Imari, is it?” Itachi asked with a smirk from your reaction.

How couldn't I figure this out before?

“I'm sorry Itachi, I don't know what's wrong with her today” The Hokage apologized.

“Oh, don't worry, it's not like she had said something worst to me...”Itachi said as he looked over Imari with a sinister look in his eyes.

Oh! I'm such an idiot! I told him to shut up! I told my own captain to shut up! How disrespectful!

“What is it that you want?” Imari said trying to act polite but came out rather impolite.

Itachi raised any eyebrow, “What is it that I want?”

“What is it that you wish to speak to me about...”Imari said through gritted teeth.

“Imari, are you feeling well today? This isn't like you...”The Hokage observed. Imari shook her head.

“I'm fine.”

“I wished to tell you that your performance today was rather....”Itachi spoke.

Imari closed her eyes through her mask, knowing what he was going to say next.

“Unexpected...and so from now on, you will be my partner because you can't seem to stay with the partner the Hokage had assigned you, and you will continue to be under my command along with the Hokage...” The young boy said.

Imari couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, relieved that she would remain in the team.

“Well, I'm glad that you are actually getting through this boy, he's a tough one” The Hokage smiled as he ruffled through Itachi's hair.

“Getting through?” Imari asked confused.

“Well, then. I will take my leave” Itachi stated bowing, before he walked away.

“That boy doesn't like showing his emotions unless he's around his family,” The Hokage chuckled.

“Right. Then I will also take my leave Hokage-sama....” Imari bowed.

“Looks like he's getting through you as well, isn't he?” The Hokage commented before she left, “I haven't seen you lose your cool in a while..”

Closing the door, Imari rushed to where Itachi was; outside the building, only a few feet away from the team.

“Why did you do it?” Imari asked as she managed to get in front of him, stopping him from walking.

“Not mention to the Hokage that you told be to shut up?”He asked blankly.

“Why did you save me?” She asked more serious. Itachi walked around her and continue on his way until she stopped him again by jumping in front of him.

“Because you are part of my squad.” He simply stated. Imari pushed him back slightly before he tried to move again.

“I mean before....” She said as she put a hand on her hip. Itachi sighed in annoyance.

“What are you talking about?” He asked. Imari then took off her mask to reveal her gray eyes that met his dark ones. Her long and wavy hair stayed pulled back in a high ponytail but her curved bangs hung down to cover her forehead.

“You had saved me before...in the forest...why did you do it?”She asked him sincerely.

He said nothing but just stared at her, almost as if he was trying to remember her face from years ago.

“Imari is it?” He asked as he looked up and down at her. Imari couldn't help but blush as the handsome captain checked her out.

“What, what are you looking at?” She said as she crossed her arms across her plump chest.

“I saved you because, you looked like someone I knew,” He said before he walked pass her. Imari could sense the slightest sadness in his eyes as he had spoken.

“Who was she?” She asked more gently. Itachi stopped walking and turned to look back at her before he continued to speak.

“She was someone I really cared for....even if I had just meant her...but she's gone, she had died in the war...”

Imari stayed silent as he walked into the group.

“Good job everyone! Today we have managed to take down and drive off the shinobi that were causing trouble to our country.” Itachi announced. Everyone cheered with their fist pumping the air.

“Yeah!” They all shouted happily.

“We will be given our next mission tomorrow. So get plenty of rest.” He said before they all bowed and took their leave.

Imari ran up to Itachi again before he left.

“Wait!” She called out. He didn't turn to look at her, expecting some sympathy speech.

“You think you could just save me without any regards!” Imari said as she appeared in front of him with a justu, “Saving me...there is only one person who can do that and he's gone as well....so don't you try and think that your better than me!”

Itachi gave her a confused look as she ranted on, “Your no one to be saving me! I can take care of myself so from now on, even if your my captain...your my rival! I'll prove to you that I don't need you to be saving me!”

Itachi couldn't help but give a small chuckle.

“Why are you laughing? I'm serious!” Imari shouted. He brought his hand over his mouth, trying to stop.

“Anyways, your lucky! You should be honored to be Konaha's Black Butterfly's rival!” Imari bragged before she left.

“That girl is definitely different...”Itachi muttered before he took his leave.