uchihacollector:

Orochimaru says, “do your best, see you tonight”, and rubs Itachi’s head. Then he lets the trainer in, and Itachi’s day fills with training and books. Some ninjutsu; elementary things can be taught by anyone, and the Oto-jounin are better specialized in nit-picking students’ progresses to perfection than Orochimaru is.

“How does he rank?” Orochimaru asks one day.

“Average,” is the answer. And the trainer gives a meaningful look. It’s code-word for much better than the rest.

None of the teachers talk much to Itachi. And when they begin to show individual attention, they’re replaced by a new teacher. Orochimaru is the one that praises him and answers his questions. Orochimaru is the one that sleeps beside him on the floor, and whom he shares meals with. The day begins and ends with Orochimaru stroking Itachi’s hair.

As time goes on, Itachi notes many things. 

Altough he’s never been given any personal reason to fear Orochimaru, or to question him in any manner deemed aggressive, other people show signs of fear. He knows the signs of the body language now. Most show a mix of high adoration and fear, while some lack that entirely. 

The man clothes him, feeds him, and seems to have clearly given up quarters he should obviously have to sleep beside Itachi. Itachi’s tried to give up his futon a few times– he knew how uncomfortable the floor had to be. 

Orochimaru clearly wanted to be beside him, and he treated him a lot better than he surmised the others were being treated. 

That topic is not always at the forefront of his mind, however. The main focus is training to defeat his primary enemy, whose power is still not solidly quantifiable. His repertoire of jutsu grows, and his speech reflects all of the books he’s gone through. 

If Orochimaru is indeed favoring him above the rest, then he will seize the opportunity, and use it to his advantage. His weight has picked up, muscle in all of the right places, clothing fitting him snugly. Hair that once reached the middle of his back is now closer to his waist, always tied back loosely. The front bangs get a trim now and then. The achy cough and joints slowly fade away, the only soreness left being after a healthy round of taijutsu practice. 

And he grows bolder. He won’t let Orochimaru sleep on the hard tile tonight, exercising his total lack of fear of his admirer, and pulling him onto the futon.

“I want to take a trip outside.”