big brother shina: reborn in the Uchiha clan

The sun was setting over the Uchiha compound, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Shina and Itachi sat on the roof of their home, a spot they often escaped to when they wanted a moment of peace. Shina leaned back, his hands behind his head, while Itachi sat cross-legged, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

"Itachi," Shina began, breaking the comfortable silence, "you've been quieter than usual lately. Something on your mind?"

Itachi hesitated, then looked down at his hands. "Father expects so much of me. He wants me to be perfect. But no matter how hard I try, it never feels like enough."

Shina turned his head to look at his little brother, his usual carefree expression softening. "You're six years old, Itachi. You shouldn't be worrying about things like that."

"But I have to," Itachi said, his voice firm. "I have to protect the clan. I have to be strong enough to—"

Shina sat up and flicked Itachi on the forehead, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Ow!" Itachi said, rubbing his forehead. "What was that for?"

"For talking nonsense," Shina said, grinning. "Listen, Itachi. Being strong isn't just about power or perfection. It's about knowing when to take a step back, to breathe, and to let yourself be human. Even the strongest ninja can't do everything alone."

Itachi frowned. "But what if I fail? What if I'm not strong enough?"

Shina reached out and ruffled Itachi's hair, ignoring the boy's attempts to swat his hand away. "That's why you've got me, little brother. You're not alone in this. No matter what happens, I'll be there to back you up. You've got my word."

Itachi looked up at Shina, his dark eyes wide. "You promise?"

Shina held up his pinky. "Pinky promise."

Itachi hesitated, then linked his pinky with Shina's. A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Thanks, Shina-nii," Itachi said softly.

"Anytime, kiddo," Shina replied, leaning back again. "Now, how about we forget all this serious stuff and watch the stars for a while?"

Itachi nodded, and the two brothers sat in silence, the weight of their worries momentarily lifted as the first stars began to twinkle in the evening sky.