An Uchiha's True Worth

Unique Background

Shinpi went with her mom to Itachi’s graduation ceremony. She was excited for him. And just as excited that she would be starting the Academy that year as well. Though she was sad that she and Itachi would not be in school together. Itachi always took the opportunity to walk her home when he could. He would ask Shinpi how she was doing with her studies and offered her help. On rare occasions, he would practice throwing shuriken with her. She was very talented herself. Though she tended to be very timid and avoided drawing attention to herself. She passed all of the tests they gave her. The teachers admired her studious nature. She would even help her classmates without having to be asked. She excelled in all of her studies. She loved to learn. Though she found the classes somewhat boring at times. Unlike many of the other students, she wasn’t so eager to become a ninja and go on missions. She had some hesitation about her first confrontation. Book smarts was one thing, but responding to someone attacking her? She decided to ask Itachi about it the next time she saw him.

As Shinpi and Itachi walked toward her home she gathered up the courage. “Itachi?” “Yes,” He says. “What’s it like to be in a battle?” Itachi paused for a moment. “It’s scary.” He responded simply. “Why do you ask?” Shinpi stopped and looked at the ground. Itachi got down on one knee. “What’s wrong, Shinpi?” “I’m scared.” She replied. Her lip beginning to quiver. Itachi smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. “Scared of what?” Shinpi looked at him. “That if I go on a mission, I’m going to die.” Itachi hugged her. “It’s okay to be afraid,” He tells her. “It is? I thought Ninja had to be strong?” Itachi chuckled. “Even the strongest ninja are afraid sometimes.” He tells her. “Even you?” Itachi paused for a moment. “Even me.” He whispered. “But I’ll tell you a secret. There is a way to not be afraid.” Shinpi looked at him waiting. “Practice your skills and work on getting better. Pretty soon, you won’t need to think because your body will simply react to whatever danger comes your way.” Shinpi looked at him, uncertain. “So I just have to work on becoming stronger?” Itachi smiled. “That’s it.” He says as he ruffles her hair. She blushed. “We better get you home before your mom worries.” He leaned down so that Shinpi could climb on his back. She laughed as the wind whipped her hair. Itachi smiled. He loved seeing her smile. She was so young to be worrying about dying. He hated that she had to endure something so grownup. His missions already opened his eyes to so much. Like him, Shinpi seemed to feel things so much more strongly than her peers. He knew from personal experience how this would affect her as she got older. They were always looked at as strange. Seeing their peers as mere children simply because they understood things differently. The teachers would look at them differently as well. Sure they gained respect because of their maturity, but the adults would still speak down to them. They were caught between two worlds. While they were children physically, their minds were more similar to the adults around them. So they became loners simply because they were the only ones best suited to understand themselves. It was a lonely reality.

Imawe smiled when she saw Itachi with her daughter. “Itachi, how are you?” “I’m doing fine, maam.” He bowed. He ruffled Shinpi’s hair one more time before leaving. Shinpi watched him leave. “Shinpi” Her mom says. “Dinner will be ready soon. Please go and wash up.” “Yes maam.” Inasa would be home soon as well. She finished up putting dinner on the table when Shinpi walked in and sat down. She looked somewhat sad today. That wasn’t like her. Inasa walked in and kissed his wife. “How was your day, love?” He asked. Imawe smiled. “It was fine.” Inasa washed his hands in the kitchen sink before sitting down. Shinpi was sitting there quietly. Their normally bubbly little girl seemed so distracted. “Shinpi?” Inasa says quietly. Shinpi looked up at her father. That’s when he saw the tears. He stood up and went to her getting down on one knee in front of her. “What’s the matter, dear?” Shinpi hugged her dad and began to cry more heavily than he had ever seen. He looked at his wife. She shrugged, her face full of worry. After a moment, Shinpi calmed some. “Daddy, I don’t want to die.” Inasa’s eyes widened. “What would make you think that you’re going to die?” Shinpi looked up then. “Some kids at school said that all ninja are destined to die for the village.” Inasa’s heart sank. He hugged her again. “Dear there is a difference between destiny and reality.” Shinpi looked at her father. A ninja has free will to choose whether to die or not.” “How?” She asked. “You will only die if your weak.” That was a lie and he knew it. Many great ninja, amazingly strong ninja have died in service to the Hokage and the Leaf Village. “Itachi said that if I get stronger, then I won’t be afraid.” Her father smiled. “Itachi is right. So instead of focusing on whether you May die, focus on becoming so strong that it becomes nearly impossible for it to happen. Focus on being the best for yourself and everyone you care about.” Shinpi nodded. She hugged her father again. “Thank you.” With that her mood seemed to improve and she began to eat. In between bites she would tell her parents about what all she had learned. After dinner, she prepared for bed. As she lay down, she thought about Itachi. He was already going on missions and seemed to be alright. Shinpi decided then that since she couldn’t control what happened to her, all she could do was focus on what she could do.