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Chapter Text

I.

"If I die, several circumstances will change," Shisui spoke quietly.

The renowned Uchiha genius stood at the edge of the cliff. His body was battered and heavily injured. The wind blew through his curly dark locks and he turned his body towards his cousin and best friend. Itachi watched in silence, his heart hammering in his chest as a feeling of trepidation engulfed his entire form. A small resigned smile slowly spread on Shisui's face as he gazed towards him with unseeing eyes. Shunshin No Shisui closed his hollow eyes and took a step back, the faint smile stretching further as the blood continued to gush down his pale face.

"I've left behind a note already." He spoke in a solemn tone.

Itachi watched in silent horror. His black eyes widened as he understood his best friend's intentions. He shook his head in a silent plea, forgetting that Shisui could no longer see him. He released a startled breath understanding the finality of their meeting. His heart plummeted down to his stomach and he outstretched a shaking hand to his cousin, his expression pleading and saturated with grief.

No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no!No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No no no no no no! No!

He stepped forward, his hand reaching forward desperately.

"Wait, Shisui!" He cried out, his voice broken and terrified.

Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!Please please please!

"Don't stop me Itachi," Shisui spoke firmly. If you're my friend...

Itachi felt his body move on an instinctive impulse, a need to savesavesave permeating through his entire form. Rushing forward on desperate legs, he watched as Shisui stepped back, his arms stretched wide, as if he was embracing his own death peacefully as he began to tip backwards. Itachi moved forward desperately, lunging for his best friend as he began to plummet to his death. The Uchiha Heir grabbed the cuff of his best friend's shirt and they both tumbled down into the darkness.

Chapter Text

II.

Nii-san, can you teach me the trick to throwing shuriken?

I'm busy. I really don't have time today Sasuke.

Nii-san, do you have time to-

Later Sasuke.

Nii-san! Welcome home! Hey, let's play-

Later Sasuke. I'm busy today.

Nii-san, tomorrow can we-

Later Sasuke.

Uchiha Sasuke could not sleep. He was feeling very sad and... what was the word?  N-e-g-l-e-c-t-e-d?

It was a very big word and he learned it from his mother when she had chided him for spending the entire day sulking because his older brother had broken another promise. They were supposed to play together. Nii-san was supposed to come home by dinner and help him practice throwing his shuriken like he promised but he didn't. He didn't come home for dinner. Nii-san was a big fat liar! He never kept his promises! He was feeling that big word.

N-e-g-l-e-c-t-e-d.

His mother had calmly explained to him when he went to her in confusion. His dark eyes were wet and his bottom lip trembled and he complained about feeling a painful and uncomfortable sensation spreading through his chest when he thought of his older brother who never had time for him. He wasn't bleeding but his chest hurt a lot.

Sasuke-kun, right now you're feeling neglected. It means that you want your brother's attention and you want Itachi-kun to spend time with you and because he isn't doing that, you feel hurt. What you're feeling now is pain.

The small child tossed and turned in his bed, thinking on his mother's words. He didn't like this hurt feeling. He didn't like this pain. It didn't feel good. He didn't like not feeling good. It felt weird and uncomfortable. It felt bad. He didn't like the n-e-g-l-e-c-t-e-d feeling either. They were both bad. They made him not feel good. He missed his nii-san and he wanted to spend time with him. Why couldn't his nii-san be around more? Sasuke understood he was busy. But why couldn't he be home more often like mother and father? Father was always so busy. He was an important man but he was still home more often than nii-san. Why? Did his nii-san not care about him? Did he not want to spend time with him? Did he really not like him?

I knew it. You just don't like me.

Don't say that Sasuke. I really don't have the time today.

He hadn't spent any time with his nii-san in a long time. Every time he saw his older brother, he was always leaving somewhere, always coming inside for only a few moments to change and then he'd be gone again. He had asked him to spend time with him, every single time he saw him but Itachi always said laterlaterlater.

But you'd said you'd teach me a new shuriken technique!

Nii-san, you liar...

Forgive me Sasuke. Next time, okay?

Every single time it was later. Every single time it was next time. Every single time it was I'm busy. He started hating those words - later, next time, busy - they always made him feel hurt in the chest. The small boy curled into himself, wiping at his wet eyes with small fists as he lay on his side. When would later end? He wondered with a pout, gazing at the darkness of his quiet bedroom. He wanted his older brother. He wanted to spend more time with him but he was always away or busy with Shisui-san.

Does nii-san like Shisui-san more?

Sasuke frowned to himself, a weird sensation building up his chest at the thought. He rubbed at his chest with a small whine, distressed by the uncomfortable feeling. He glared ahead angrily, thinking of how his nii-san chose to hang out with Shisui-san more than him. He didn't like how Shisui-san was always in the way, taking his nii-san away from him.

If only Shisui-san would disappear.

Sasuke scowled to himself and turned on his stomach, wiggling in his sheets and rested his small face against his soft pillow. He grumbled incoherently under his breath, slowly falling into a fitful sleep.

Uchiha Shisui couldn't see anything. The pitch black darkness permeated through his entire vision. The absence of colour and sight was very alarming. He could hear the loud rushing waters around him and his body felt strangely dry. He could feel the chilly winds blow against his battered form as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. He could feel a hot wave of agony pulsating through his hollow eyelids and he felt an awareness rise in his body and mind.

He was not...dead. His whole body felt sluggish, heavy and there was an overwhelming feeling of painpainpain resonating through his skull and entire form. His right knee also felt like it was on fire. He groaned in pain and heard a shuffling beside him. A cool callused hand touched his forehead briefly then pulled away. He heard soft whispers of assurances in a very familiar voice.

"I-Itachi?" He croaked weakly. "H-how?"

He couldn't see. He was supposed to be dead. He had stepped back, taking the final step off the cliff, plummeting himself down to his death in resigned acceptance. He had given Itachi his remaining eye. He had given Itachi his will. He wasn't supposed to be alive. How?

...Ah...

Before he drifted to a state of unconsciousness, he vaguely remembered feeling a solid grip latch onto his shirt in an unrelenting manner before he fainted from blood loss and pain.

"Itachi y-you big idiot!" He hissed in between pained gasps, coughing and hacking out blood.

"I'm a dead man." Shisui whispered solemnly. The metallic taste of his own blood filled his mouth as he rasped out the words.

"L-leave me," he pleaded.

Itachi remained silent in a display of sheer stubbornness, refusing to step away from his body. Shisui grit his teeth in anger. He was supposed to die. He was supposed to be dead. His battle had ended. His fight was over. Damn it Itachi! He thought angrily as his mind raced with bitter thoughts. It was all supposed to end. All of it. He was tired, so incredibly tired and weary of it all. He didn't want to fight anymore. Why did Itachi save him? He just wanted it all too end. The council of Uchiha Elders, the Clan, Shimura Danzo, the Sandaime Hokage... He was ready to leave all of it behind him. He had accepted and embraced his death, welcoming the peace and silence that awaited him. And now...he was alive! He had to go through it all again, face his nightmares and enemies a second time. Let me go you stubborn idiot!

Don't risk everything for me Itachi. My fight is over. Let me go.

Shisui heard more frantic shuffling and felt a pressure on his empty socket. A searing agonizing pain flooded him and his nerves felt like they were on fire. He hissed against the overwhelming pain, digging his hands into the solid cool surface beneath him. He heard the soft assurances continue and then everything went black.

Uchiha Itachi grit his teeth in concern and anxiousness as Shisui fainted for a second time. He had stopped his tumble by infusing chakra into his heels, grabbing onto his cousin's heavier body and running down the slopes of the cliff to the bottom in an attempt to break their fall. He was now stuck at the bottom of the cliff on a large boulder with the rushing waters crashing around him from all sides and a heavily injured and possibly dying cousin on his hands.

Itachi wiped at his wet eyes in frustration, smearing his cousin's blood over his forehead. He gazed down at the battered and weak body of his best friend helplessly, watching as Shisui's chest rose and fell slowly in laboured breaths. He rested a callused palm on his cousin's newly returned eye and pulled back, putting his hands together in the form of a rudimentary healing seal. He only knew the bare minimum of healing and Shisui needed more help. He needed a certified medic and he wasn't one. Itachi grabbed onto his cousin's shirt desperately, clenching onto the soft fabric.

Please, please, please, don't die on me.

He formed the seals quickly in desperation, waving his chakra infused hands over his cousin's more fatal wounds. He bit back a cry of frustration as it barely did anything to staunch the bleeding wounds. He leaned over his cousin's form and breathed deeply. He wasn't going to give up. Shisui was not dead yet. He felt his best friend drift further away and away from him in alarm and he gazed around him in desperation, his mind racing as he tried to find a way to neutralize the bleeding wounds. He couldn't ask for help. He couldn't trust anyone, not after tonight. The corruption of Konoha was an inner infestation. He couldn't risk taking Shisui to the hospital. They would definitely send Root operatives to dispose of him. No... They couldn't know he was still alive.

Uchiha Shisui had to remain dead.

Itachi took a deep breath, channeling his chakra in a desperate move as it pulsed hotly through his coils. If he couldn't heal him, he could at least stop his bleeding. He had to cauterize his wounds. The Uchiha Heir removed a kunai from his side and stood up, stepping away carefully from his cousin's dormant body. He formed the seals with quick hands and breathed deeply as he released a hot fire katon, fiery flames moving from his lips towards his blade with accurate precision. He bent down hurriedly and pressed the searing hot blade on his cousin's gaping wounds, blanching against the smell of burning flesh.

Shisui screamed in agony and thrashed against him in pain but he forced him back down, his knees digging into his legs and holding him down in desperation. He closed the wounds carefully and pulled back, the blade dropping from his hands as his cousin passed out for the third time during their tumultuous evening.

Itachi gazed down at his work with a grimace. Shisui was out cold. He wouldn't be waking up for a long time... That is if he managed to live past the night. Itachi bent down and hoisted his cousin's unconscious body over his shoulders carefully. He shunshined quickly, disappearing from the boulder to the top of the cliff. He gazed down at the mess of blood and kunai on the grass with one final look and disappeared into the night.

Itachi slipped silently into his home, avoiding the creaky wooden boards and gazed towards his father's office where the lights were still on. It was very late in the evening. The moon was high up in the sky, obscured by the gathering clouds. The village slept quietly.

His father -Uchiha Fugaku- often remained awake till the early morning hours of the day working diligently in his office, caught up in the responsibilities of running the Uchiha Clan. Itachi held his breath as he made his way to the kitchen, opening the bottom cupboards where his mother kept her medical supplies. He grabbed the box and tucked it under his arm. He made his way to the other cupboards and took his father's supplies of soldier pills, rations and dried food. He grabbed extra water skins and made his way silently to his bedroom. Itachi looked around his room searchingly, rushing to his closet and rummaging through his belongings.

He pulled out his ANBU mask and gazed at it for a long, solemn moment. He set it aside on his desk and grabbed his extra stash of weapons and financial savings tucking the items into his bag. He grabbed his ANBU mask and took off his forehead protector. Itachi gazed at his forehead protector, glaring angrily at the symbol of the Leaf. He nodded to himself. His mind was made up. He reached into his weapons pouch and pulled out a sharp blade. His heart pounded loudly in his chest as he raised his kunai, slashing through the forehead protector with a sense of finality.

There was no going back. He was leaving. The Leaf had betrayed him when they attacked Shisui. He was not going to lose him. He was not going to fight for those who did not care for those he loved. He was done. He slashed through his hitai-ate and did the same with his ANBU mask, pinning both items to the wall of his bedroom as a clear sign for everyone.

Uchiha Itachi was done with Konohakagure.

He was leaving and he was never coming back. The village betrayed him. He owed them nothing. If his parents wanted to revolt, they could do it without him. He was going to prioritize what was more important to him. He was not going to risk losing Shisui a second time. He pulled Shisui's bloodied hitai-ate out of his pocket and set it on his desk and wrote a hurried note to his parents, a final farewell. He lifted his pack and secured it onto his back, making his way out of his bedroom, closing the door behind him silently.

Itachi made his way down the long corridor silently, moving quickly and hurriedly through the upper-floor and slipped past his parents bedroom where his mother -Uchiha Mikoto- lay unaware and peacefully asleep. He passed her bedroom and continued down the hall, pausing when he reached the staircase, gazing down silently at the steps that would lead him out of his family home permanently. The Uchiha Heir paused at the top step, his dark eyes widening in horror and his heart sinking to his stomach as he realized what he'd forgotten, who he'd forgotten.

Sasuke.

He had forgotten about Sasuke.

In his great panic and concern for Shisui - who he left hidden in the woods - he had forgotten about his most precious person. Itachi released a sharp breath and turned on his heel, making his way down the dark halls. He hurried to his little brother's room to gaze upon him one last time. His little otouto lay sleeping, ignorant to the turmoil pulsing through his heart.

Itachi opened the door carefully, holding his breath as it creaked. He looked down the hall to his mother's bedroom warily and stepped inside his otouto's room, closing the door behind him silently. He stepped forward, making his way to the small bundle under the covers. He kneeled down and gazed at the tiny rumpled form of his brother sleeping on his bed. He slid down to his knees silently, crouching down and running a hand through Sasuke's dark locks. Itachi released a sharp breath, his hand shaking in fear, apprehension, and heightened grief. He felt his eyes water against the flow emotions coursing through him. He felt overwhelmed and incredibly lost.

He thought of Shisui who was grievously injured and in mortal danger. He thought of his position now as a deserter to the village and Uchiha Clan. He thought of his little brother who he would never see again. It was all too much. He had to leave. There was no other way. To stay would be to sign away Shisui's life and he couldn't do that to him. He had to save him. He hoped that Sasuke would forgive him one day. His little brother would grow up without him, never knowing why he disappeared and left him alone.

Itachi stood up on unsteady legs, his vision bleary as he stepped away from his little brother's sleeping form. He looked at him for a long time, committing the curves of his cherubic face, gentle childish features and dark hair to his memory. He turned around and made his way to the door, his hand resting on the cool wood with a heavy heart. He paused as he heard a soft sniffle and a distressed whine from the bed. He turned around in alarm watching his little brother turn in his sleep.

"Nii-san," Sasuke whined in his sleep. "Don't go, let's play."

Itachi felt his heart crack at the words of his little brother. He stepped forward silently, watching as the child scrunched his face in discomfort and whined again, his small hands curling into his bedsheets in distress. The Uchiha Heir took a seat on the bed, running his hands through his brother's dark locks, watching him carefully as his brother settled back down into a fitful sleep. He felt the tears slide down his cheeks as he gazed at his little brother, his small words echoing in his head torturously. 

Nii-san. Let's play.

He held back a pained sob. I'm so sorry Sasuke.

Itachi felt so incredibly pained, feeling like an utter failure of a brother, recalling all the times he turned his little brother away when he sought him out to play, train or merely just spend time together. He always always always turned him away, choosing to spend time on missions for the village, choosing to attend clan meetings, choosing other people over his little brother. Every single time he chose something else or someone else over his most precious person. He was an awful brother. He was neglectful and absent from his brother's life too often.

He had neglected his most important person and prioritized a village that ultimately betrayed him. He had let go of the one good thing in his life for something else entirely rotten. And now... now...he would never see him again. The memories flashed by him and they made the gaping chasm of pain in his heart stretch wider and wider, encompassing his entire form in tumultuous grief. He hated seeing himself pushing his little brother away time and time again as the small child sought him out, only to be pushed aside, only to be disappointed every single time.

I'm busy, Sasuke. 

I'm busy. I really don't have time today, Sasuke.

Later, Sasuke.

Next time, Sasuke. 

This time there would be no later. There would be no next time. He was leaving for good. He would never hear his little brother's bright greeting as he entered his home. Welcome back nii-san! He would never be tackled by his hyper, tiny body. He would never see his dark eyes brighten up when he saw him come home. He would never carry his small brother on his back when Sasuke got too tired and exhausted from walking or practicing. He would never watch the night skies and count the stars with him as they laid outside together.

He would never serve him a huge cooked meal he spent hours making to ensure he ate other foods than just tomatoes. He would never see Sasuke's bright smiles or shy glances as he asked him to spend time with him. He would never tap his forehead gently because tonight was the last night. His heart broke as he thought of all the years he'd miss as he left, all the growing up he wouldn't be a part of. All the memories would end here. They wouldn't be able to build anymore precious moments together. His time with Sasuke would end here. 

"Nii-san," Sasuke whined again in his sleep, his small body instinctively moving towards him, seeking his warmth and comforting presence.

Itachi held his breath and watched his little brother sleep, his heart thudding in his chest, a great agony spreading through his heart as he contemplated leaving behind his most precious person.

Forgive me, Sasuke.

He gently reached down and tapped his brother's forehead gently with two fingers for the last time and pulled back reluctantly.

You're safer here, otouto.

Itachi paused in thought, gazing intently at his sleeping brother. Was Sasuke safer here? He released a startled breath at the thought. Was leaving Sasuke behind even the best choice? Would he even be safe here in Konoha? Could he trust the village to care and love his brother like he did? Shisui wasn't safe here and he had breathed and lived for the village. He was the most loyal Konoha-nin, brimming with the Will of Fire and yet they tried to kill him. Shisui dreamed of peace and he fought tooth and nail for the village, trying desperately to preserve both his clan and village and yet they tried to dispose of him. If Shisui wasn't safe then there was no guarantee that Sasuke would be either.

Itachi felt his body freeze at the thought, a cold feeling seeped through his entire form as he gazed at his vulnerable little brother in dread. The idea of his brother's safety being compromised made his eyes bleed into the ominous crimson colour of his sharingan. He grit his teeth at the thought, his killing intent rising as he thought of the dangerous situation he could potentially leave his brother in. If anyone dared to touch a single hair on Sasuke's head, he would tear them apart limb by limb. He would make them wish they were dead. He would impart an agony and a vengeful wrath like no other on them if they dared to touch his little brother. He took a deep breath, reining in his rage and compartmentalizing his murderous thoughts.

Sasuke wouldn't be safe here.

He couldn't trust his parents with Sasuke. They were prioritizing the coup over their own family. They knew there would be great casualties when they rebelled and the casualty could become their youngest son. Itachi couldn't allow that to happen. It was a risk he couldn't take. What if he left Sasuke behind only for him to get killed in the crossfire? His parents were unfit to care for his brother. His father was too harsh, too strict, and he was often too busy to spare time for his second son. No matter what Sasuke did, his father always viewed his efforts as inadequate, making his otouto feel inferior about his abilities. His words were always sharp and reprimanding, lacking the affection and warmth Sasuke needed as a growing child. His father was incapable of loving Sasuke like he loved him. His mother was also inadequate. She allowed his father to do as he pleased, uncaring even if his behaviour hurt his little brother.

No.

They couldn't be trusted. The only person he could trust with Sasuke was himself. He couldn't trust anyone else to care for him.

He had to take him with him.

That way he could ensure his safety, his longevity. There was no way to know how the Uchiha Clan would fare if the coup failed. There was no insurance for Sasuke's life. At least in his company, he would be alive. He would make sure of it. He would not let anyone touch a single hair on his little brother's head. He would protect him and Shisui.

Shisui.

Itachi felt his head spin at the thought of his best friend. He would have to care for his little otouto and a heavily injured Shisui... He would need to sneak out, make his way across the Land of Fire, disappear entirely. He would have to care for his injured friend, protect his younger brother, find somewhere to stay while Shisui healed. He would have to raise Sasuke adequately, making sure he was well-fed and cared for. His brother was so incredibly young. He was a few months from turning six. Sasuke was still five! Was he even fit to raise him? Could he possibly do a good job? He worried he might accidentally harm him or raise him wrong. What if he messed him up? Could he step into the role of being a parent and fill it adequately? Would Sasuke hate him for taking him away without even consulting him?

Itachi was scared. He was nervous, troubled and he had so many concerns but he couldn't leave his little otouto behind.

He just couldn't.

He had to do all this by himself. It was a colossal task, one he wasn't so confident in succeeding in but he would try his best. He couldn't just remain passive. He was willing to risk everything to keep his loved ones- Sasuke and Shisui- safe. He was going to fight in his own way for Shisui's life. He would fight for him by taking him away from this treasonous village. He would fight for him by preserving his life. Gazing down at his sleeping brother, Itachi felt his resolve solidify. Whatever happens, happens. He wouldn't leave him. He couldn't leave him. He couldn't trust this toxic village with his little otouto. He would solve the issues and problems as they came, he wouldn't worry about them right now. 

Itachi stood up hurriedly and made his way to his brother's closest, packing a number of clothes, shoes and miscellaneous items such as children books, toys and a few colouring journals, sliding them into one of his spare storage scrolls. He slipped back into his room quickly, adjusting his farewell note to his parents, indicating that he was taking Sasuke with him for good. He stood in his dark room, his pen moving hurriedly across the page. The moonlight slipped through the cracks of his drawn curtains and painted his dark form in shadows of grey and black.

Itachi drew back, gazing down at the note with a decisive nod. He made his way back to his brother's room and gently wrapped the small pale child up in a soft blanket. The weather was chilly outside and it was late at night. He held the bundle tightly to his chest, watching Sasuke sleep peacefully, his small body burrowing into his warm embrace with familiarity, his small hands curling into the fabric of his shirt as he grumbled softly in his sleep. Itachi secured his bag on tightly and took a deep breath. He tightened his hold on his brother, gazed around him one final time before disappearing from the Uchiha compound completely, leaving behind a pile of leaves and dust in his wake.

Chapter Text

III.

The silence permeated through the sleeping village of Konohakagure and the skies were dark and filled with twinkling stars. Villagers and civilians slept on in peaceful serenity, unaware of the tragic plight of a young troubled soul, barring a burden so heavy, entirely alone in his dark and tumultuous path. Uchiha Itachi turned his sight away from the place he once called home. A place he had once loved and served with everything he had. His heart was aching with heightened grief and he held a warm bundle to his chest desperately. His dark grieving eyes fell down to the sight of the sleeping child in his arms and he turned away forcefully from his past, tarring his gaze away as he slipped away into the night and through the gates undetected.

Itachi tended to the wounds of his cousin hurriedly, opening his mother's medical kit and lathered his cousin's wounds in disinfectant salve gently. His hands were shaking and expression was concerned as he wrapped him up gently in sterilized bandages. He stood up with a heavy sigh and tucked the kit back into his bag. He layered his body in nondescript clothing, removing his cousin's weaponry and stashing it away. He wiped the blood gently off his face and bundled him in a few layers of clothing, wrapping a woollen scarf securely around his neck. He reached forward with careful hands -mindful of the many wounds- and hoisted him over his back. He tucked a hand under his cousin's knee and used his other hand to pull the bundle of his sleeping otouto to his chest. He took a deep breath to center himself and sped away hurriedly, his movements fast and brisk. 

There was no turning back.

Itachi moved at a fast pace. His body was a blur of hurried movements as he leapt from tree to tree, putting a distance between himself and the village. Sasuke was quiet in his hold, bundled in a thick blanket and held securely to his chest. His tiny warm body was burrowed deeply into his chest and his small hands curled tightly into his shirt. Itachi pressed a secure hand on his little brother's sleeping form as moved through the tall trees and thick foliage. Shisui's body grew hotter and hotter with the passing of every hour and he remained in an unconscious state. Itachi turned and took a different route, leaving behind a fake trail and he circled back quickly, taking an alternate route. He kept moving for the entirety of the night, his apprehension growing greater and greater as dawn approached.

Itachi sped forward towards a specific nondescript location. There was a small merchant village up ahead. It fortunately had enough travellers and their appearance wouldn't create many inquiries. Itachi leapt from the trees, seeing the village up ahead and jumped down to the ground, keeping their small group hidden behind the thick shrubs. He eyed the sleeping village and took a deep breath before making his way towards the open gates. 

Itachi took advantage of the early morning hours and moved quickly through the sleeping village. He located a cheap rundown motel quickly. He checked his little group into a small, decrepit building at the edge of the merchant village. It wasn't ideal and it was right across from an old bar but it was cheap and they were only staying for a night or two, enough to get his best friend's injuries examined by a professional.

The village did not have shinobi and the medics were not versed in healing with chakra. Shisui would heal in a slow manner since he was not going to be treated with chakra. Itachi signed them up for two nights, taking a room on the first floor at the very end of the hall. The room was sparsely furnished. It had twin beds and a small dresser at the side of the room. A long full-length mirror was nailed to the grimy walls. Itachi quickly deposited his unconscious cousin on the thin, rickety bed. He hoisted his little brother up in his arms and his otouto burrowed deeply into his chest, his eyelids fluttering at the movement but continued to sleep as he was cocooned in the safety and warmth of his embrace.

Itachi sighed heavily, rubbing his little brother's back gently and hurried out of the motel. He made his way to the small healthcare clinic and he explained his situation to the doctors and nurses, fabricating a tragic tale that they were travelling and were ambushed by a group of thieves. His parents were killed and his older brother was fatally injured and he managed to carry him here but he couldn't find the healthcare clinic immediately so he left him in the motel. The staff of female healers and elderly patients ate up his tale, some even shed tears as they gazed at the sleeping form of his orphaned little brother. Their best healer - an elderly woman by the name of Soma Suzuki - stepped forward, vowing to do everything in her power to help their small tragic family.

Itachi led the elderly woman to the rundown motel, once again continuing his fabricated tale that his family fortune was stolen when his parents were slain and all he had was loose change in his pocket and this was the only place he could afford. Healer Suzuki's eyes gleamed angrily as she listened to him, patting him in a grandmotherly manner on the shoulder.

"I have a room you can use. I live alone. My rotten grandson ran off many years ago with the town harlot. You can stay with us as long as you need." She spoke with a fierce expression.

Itachi ran the calculations in his head, counting the number of ryos he'd save by staying at the elderly healer's home. He gazed at his sleeping brother and recalled the grimy motel room, holding back a grimace. There were many advantages to accepting the help of the healer. The thirteen year old shook his head with a practiced frown, feigning a troubled expression with ease.

"Obasan, I don't want to impose."

The elderly woman smacked him on the shoulder. "Nonsense! You have your baby brother to worry about and your injured older brother! You yourself are a youngster! You're all bones too! I will not take no for an answer!" She barked, pinching his side.

Itachi bowed deeply and awkwardly, trying not to jostle his sleeping otouto too much.

"Thank you very much obasan."

The wizened woman waved away his gratitude with a wrinkled hand and hobbled forward on her walking cane, her large healing bag swinging on her bony arm. She sneered at the rundown motel and made her way to their room, snapping at the service people who shrank away when they saw her. She had a fierce reputation in town and she was renowned for her short temper. Itachi led her to the small room and opened the door. Suzuki obasan stepped forward, making her way hurriedly to the unconscious form of his cousin. She rested a wrinkled hand on his hot perspiring forehead and frowned heavily.

"This won't do. This place is filthy. We need to move him and we'll start treating him at my home."

Itachi pursed his lips tightly, looking down at the sleeping form of his little otouto. The healer outstretched her arms to take his little brother. Itachi's eyes widened and he took a step back, his arms tightening protectively on his little brother. 

"Foolish boy, I will not hurt him. You cannot carry both of them yourself. You can't jostle my patient too much. Now give me the child." She barked impatiently.

Itachi looked between his sleeping brother and his unconscious cousin. He looked back at the healer and slowly handed his little brother over, his dark eyes tracking her every move carefully. She took Sasuke into her arms carefully, her hold gentle and secure. Sasuke grumbled in his sleep but continued to rest. Itachi released a long breath and rushed forward to his cousin, hoisting him very carefully and gently onto his back. He grabbed his bag with his other hand and followed the healer out of the decrepit motel.

Suzuki obasan's house was traditional and spacious. She had an expansive garden with a colourful array of flowers and neatly trimmed shrubs. There was a small pond of koi fish swimming around in circles in the center of the field. She had lots of long, thick trees scattered throughout her property and a big wooden gate obscured her home away from curious eyes. She led Itachi inside, with a sleeping Sasuke in her arms. She led them to the guest bedroom, setting the small child down gently on the bed and turned to him with instructions. She led him to another room, one that was clinical and sterile and with many healing instruments. Itachi set his cousin down on the bed gently and hovered around, unsure of what to do. The healer barked at him to go wash his hands. He was going to become her assistant for the day.

Itachi hurriedly made his way to the washing station and washed his hands thoroughly, disinfecting his hands and arms and made his way back. Suzuki obasan threw long white gloves his way and he caught them swiftly, slipping them on. She eyed his black robe silently but made no further comment. She took a pair of scissors and began cutting Shisui's layers and layers of clothes off. 

The old woman continued her ministrations in silence until she removed all the layers of fabric. She paused as she gazed at his cousin's bare chest, her eyes darkening in rage at what she saw. There were crisscrosses of heavy deep gashes and burn marks from multiple attacks. Scars littered his skin and bruises -purple, blue and yellow- decorated nearly every part of his pale flesh.

She pressed her fingers onto the damaged skin gently, moving carefully and tsked under her breath. She cut through his pants. There were heavy bruises and swelling on his right kneecap, like someone tried to break his knee bones. She moved to his face and she slowly cut away the facial bandages. Itachi tensed as he saw the hollow eye, crusted with blood and the skin around his eye was heavily bruised; a thin scar ran down his hollow eyelids. His other eye was sealed shut and it was heavily swollen.

"What in the world happened?" The healer hissed angrily. "This boy is one step away from his grave."

Itachi stepped forward, standing on the side of the operation bed. "Can you save him?"

The healer pursed her lips tightly and opened her medic bag. She took a deep breath, pulling out all her surgical instruments.

"I will try my best to address all his injuries. But the fight is up to him."

Itachi looked at his cousin in desperation. His gloved hands reached out and clasped Shisui's unresponsive palm gently. He tightened his hold, wanting to offer his best friend comfort and support.

Fight Shisui, fight through this. Me and Sasuke need you. Please don't leave us.

It took an entirety of four hours to address every single injury on his cousin's battered body and by the end of the day, Itachi was sure he was seeing double. He was running on no sleep, high levels of stress, fatigue and hunger. Shisui had five broken ribs. His right kneecap was severely damaged, the muscles were torn completely. He suffered from deep lacerations on his chest and torso and required a number of stitches. He suffered from blood loss and his hollowed eye socket was infected. His body was currently fighting the infection with a high fever.

Overall, his chances were not good. There was no guarantee he would live through the night. Itachi refused to lose hope. His best friend was a fighter. He would make it. He had to make it. He didn't know if he would ever be the same again, if he would ever move the same again with the damage done to his knee. They wouldn't know until he woke up. The healer was unsure about his ocular vision. She couldn't test his remaining eye without him being awake. Itachi had no idea if he was able to return his eye successfully or if he damaged the nerves more. His cousin could be blind and it would all be his fault. He should have not accepted the eye. He should have argued with Shisui for another way.

Itachi made his way to the bathroom in exhaustion and took off his clothes, setting them off to the side. He sat on the stool and turned the facet on, rinsing the grim and blood off his body. He washed his hair, running his fingers through the dark locks meticulously. He washed the rest of his body and sat in the hot tub of water. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the cool walls. He felt so incredibly drained. Every part of his body was sore and his head was throbbing painfully. He released a long breath and stared up at the ceiling with a dazed expression. He sent a silent prayer to the heavens, his heart thrumming in desperation and hope.

Please make it through Shisui. 

Chapter Text

IV.

The small pale child grumbled in his sleep and turned on his side. His small pale hands curled into the soft cotton bedsheets and he released a small content sigh. He pressed his face against the soft pillow and wrinkled his nose. He felt a warm hand card through his dark locks gently and he turned his head, leaning into the soft touch. His dark lashes fluttered and his eyelids opened slowly. He winced at the bright light trickling in the room and whined in discomfort, turning his face back into the pillow. He heard a small huff of amusement and reached a small hand forward, latching onto the warm body next to him. He pulled and tugged sleepily with closed eyes, lulled forward by the familiar and soothing presence.

"Wake up otouto." The familiar voice spoke softly.

The hand continued carding gently through his hair and he grumbled grouchily. He turned on his back and blinked his eyes open. His awareness heightened and his eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He shot up in bed at the sight of his nii-san and he hurtled himself forward with an exuberant cry.

"Nii-san!"

Itachi released a low chuckle and caught his small body. Sasuke smiled and nuzzled into his brother's warm chest. He wrapped his small arms around his waist tightly and latched his legs onto his middle like a baby koala. His older brother rubbed his back gently and stood up with an arm wrapped around his body securely. Sasuke hummed happily and closed his eyes, wanting to catch more sleep. He was very very comfortable and nii-san was very warm. It was nice.

It had been so long since he had last seen his nii-san. All his sadness and anger with his nii-san breaking his promise was forgotten. Itachi moved quietly, his steps were soft and slow. Sasuke heard him speaking politely to an unfamiliar person and he blinked his eyes open. He turned his head around and peered ahead curiously. He blinked at the elderly lady who wore a black kimono and he frowned to himself. He looked around at his surroundings and he bit his lower lip in confusion. They weren't home. Who is this oba-san?

Itachi took a seat at the breakfast table and Sasuke lifted his head, gazing at his brother questioningly.

"Ne nii-san, where are we? Where are mother and father?" He asked with wide eyes.

He felt his brother stiffen and he heard the old woman inhale sharply at his innocent question. Sasuke frowned and his older brother tightened his hold on him. Itachi tapped two fingers on his forehead gently and he smiled a weak smile that looked wrong on his brother's face.

"Later Sasuke, not now." Itachi intoned gently.

Sasuke huffed under his breath. His mouth formed into a small pout and he turned to regard the elderly woman curiously. She looked...sad. Her wrinkly face was frowning heavily and her eyes were moist as she stared at him. Sasuke didn't like the sad look on her face and he gave her a hesitant smile, hoping to brighten her day a bit. He wiggled in his brother's hold and waved a small hand in greeting.

"Hi oba-san," he spoke with a shy smile. 

The elderly woman's gaze softened as she regarded him and his older brother. She grabbed a small steaming bowl of miso and leaned over the table, setting it in front of him.

"Eat up little one," she spoke in a low voice. "You'll need your strength."

Sasuke's smile brightened and he leaned forward eagerly, sliding off his brother's lap to sit next to him closely. He grabbed the warm bowl of soup and gave a polite bow to the old woman. He took a few sips and placed the bowl down carefully. Itachi handed him a set of chopsticks and Sasuke began eating his rice and vegetables quietly. He frowned to himself. There were no tomatoes. Itachi ruffled his hair gently and picked up his own chopsticks, bowing in gratitude for the food. They ate quietly and Sasuke regarded his surroundings curiously. Oba-san began speaking with his brother in a low tone, their words were curt and troubled. Sasuke's eyes widened as he grasped a few sparse words.

Injuries...unconscious...cannot stay long...ocular damage...nerves...possibility of coma...must prepare yourself...the worst...cannot...no...not giving up...medical miracle...low chances...not yet...no.

The small child frowned at the verbal exchange and the words made him feel bad, bad, bad. He tugged on his brother's shirt in distress and he gazed at him with wide troubled eyes. Itachi looked down and he gave him a small smile.

"Nii-san, is everything okay? Is someone hurt?"

Itachi's face did a series of conflicted expressions. Sasuke made a startled noise in the back of his throat and he felt the bad, bad, bad feeling grow bigger and bigger. He didn't understand what was going on. Why does nii-san look like he's in pain? His brother reached forward and grabbed him by the waist, hoisting him up easily and settled him in his lap. Sasuke wiggled and turned in his hold. He reached up and hugged his brother tightly around his neck. He wrapped his small arms around him in confusion and patted his nii-san's back in a comforting gesture. He always saw his mother do this when he felt hurt and troubled. Pat, pat, pat.

He patted his brother gently on his back, hoping to offer him some comfort. Pat, pat, pat. He wondered if this made his brother feel better. Pat, pat, pat. Nii-san had made a hurt face but he wasn't bleeding. Was he feeling n-e-g-l-e-c-t-e-d? His mother had explained to him that not all pain was physical. Was nii-san hurt on the inside? Sasuke frowned at the thought and pouted. Pat, pat, pat. He couldn't help his nii-san if his pain was on the inside. Pat, pat, pat. He didn't know what do to make things better. Pat, pat, pat. Itachi tightened his hold and he heard him inhale and exhale slowly. Pat, pat, pat. 

"Things will be okay otouto. Shisui... He is a bit hurt and he will take a while to get better."

Sasuke pulled back slightly to gaze up at his brother in concern. His eyes widened and he felt his stomach sink at the news. His body shook and his bottom lip wobbled. He grabbed his brother's shirt and curled his small hands into the soft fabric tightly. Shisui... Shisui... Oh no... He had wished for Shisui-san to disappear before he fell asleep and now...now he was hurt. Oh no... This was all his fault. He did this. Shisui-san got hurt because he wanted him gone. Sasuke's eyes grew moist at the thought and his brother's eyes widened in shock.

"Oh otouto, it's okay. Shisui will be okay, he's strong."

Sasuke shook his head and he felt the tears slide down his face. He rubbed his eyes angrily as his body began shaking.

"N-nii-san, I...I...t-this is m-my f-fault," He whispered as he began crying.

Oh no... Nii-san is going to hate me. Nii-san is best friends with Shisui-san and now Shisui-san is hurt because of me. Sasuke began crying harder and harder at the thought. His small sobs turned into full distressed cries and broken hiccups. Itachi wiped his face gently, his voice was soft and patient. He rubbed his back gently and held him close.

"Why do you think its your fault otouto?"

Sasuke shook his head and bit onto his bottom lip harshly. No. He wouldn't tell. He couldn't tell. Nii-san would hate him. He couldn't have nii-san hate him. That would hurt so much. He shook his head stubbornly and his nii-san frowned, his face becoming more and more concerned as Sasuke refused to talk. Nii-san grabbed his shoulders gently and looked him in the eyes.

"Otouto, nothing you will say will make me upset with you. You know that right? There's nothing you can do that will make me look at you any different."

Sasuke stared at him with wide eyes. "Do you promise?"

Itachi wiped his cheeks gently. "Yes, I promise."

Sasuke lowered his head and clenched his hands tightly onto his brother's shirt. He took a deep breath and raised his head, his eyes were wide in fear and nervousness. "I...I b-before I f-fell a-asleep I w-ished for Shisui to d-disappear," he whispered.

He watched his brother's face waiting for the anger and disgust. Neither came. Itachi appeared concerned, his dark eyes were troubled.

"Why would you wish that otouto? Did Shisui say something hurtful?"

Sasuke shook his head. No, Shisui was kind and gentle and he was the best person after nii-san.

"You..." He paused and his eyes prickled with a fresh wave of tears. "You n-never p-play with me anymore a-and you're always b-busy with Shisui s-so...so I...I w-wished he'd disappear a-and and n-now he's hurt a-and and... it's m-my fault."

He started crying again. He was scared to look at his brother's face. He didn't want to see the hate and anger. He didn't want to lose his nii-san. Nii-san was everything.

"Oh otouto. No, that's not your fault. Listen dear otouto, bad people hurt Shisui. It has nothing to do with you."

"But I made the wish!"

"Wishes don't work like that otouto. We can wish and wish and wish and nothing will happen. It is not your fault. I don't blame you, Shisui won't blame you. Oh Sasuke, please stop crying dear."

Sasuke looked up through messy tears and a runny nose. Itachi wiped his face gently and he held the tissues to his nose. Sasuke blew his nose and he gazed up at his brother with wide hopeful eyes.

"You don't hate me?" He whispered.

Itachi gave him a small smile and he cupped his face in his hands. He rested his forehead against his gently. "Never, Sasuke to me you are my everything. I could never ever hate you, never."

Sasuke smiled a watery smile and he reached up his small hands and cupped his brother's cheeks gently. "Me too nii-san. Nii-san is everything. Nii-san is my world and...hmm..." He scrunched his nose in thought. "Nii-san is my most favourite person. Nii-san is my number one person!" He chirped happily, smiling brightly as his brother pecked his forehead in a gentle kiss.

Sasuke giggled as the warmth spread through his body and Itachi withdrew, holding him to the chest gently. The five year old settled against his chest and he rubbed his small fists against his sore eyes. He grumbled in a low tone and closed his eyes. Crying made him feel so tired and heavy. He closed his eyes and burrowed in his brother's chest with a silly smile. He fell asleep to his brother's gentle voice and comforting back rubs.

Chapter Text

V.

Uchiha Itachi rested in the dark bedroom on the warm bed and he stared unblinkingly at the pale ceiling. They were set to leave Suzuki oba-san's home tomorrow. He had mapped out a new nondescript location- They were going to avoid the merchant towns for the time being and camp out in the woods. Sasuke had voiced his excitement at the idea of camping outdoors together. The small child thought they were going on a long fun trip together. Itachi's best friend and cousin remained unconscious and unresponsive. Healer oba-san did everything in her power to alleviate his ailments and the rest was up to his cousin's willpower. It wasn't ideal to move Shisui around too much but they were still too close to Konoha. They had to leave the Land of Fire. They were only a few hours away and remaining in one place was too risky. Itachi sighed heavily and turned on his back. His dark gaze was locked on the pale walls of the furnished bedroom.

He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep. He had few hours to rest and they were set to leave at dawn. Itachi turned on his side and heaved a tired sigh. It was late in the evening and he had attended to his unconscious cousin for hours. He changed all his bandages and reapplied the disinfectant ointments. Shisui was hooked up on fluids and he continued to remain unresponsive. The thirteen year old closed his eyes in fatigue and burrowed deeply into his soft pillows. His breathing slowed down and he began to drift off to sleep. Itachi furrowed his brows as he heard the soft pitter patter of tiny footsteps against the wooden floor. He frowned to himself in thought.

Is Sasuke not asleep?

He felt Sasuke’s steps stop at his bedside and the tiny child struggled to pull himself up on the high bed. Itachi feigned sleep and bit back an amused smile as he heard the disgruntled grunts from his little brother who attempted to climb into his bed. Itachi closed his eyes and turned on his side, facing his brother. He breathed slowly and he felt Sasuke stiffen in alarm. The small child froze for a moment before he tried to climb the bed shakily. Sasuke thought he was fast asleep. After a few long struggles and grumbling mutters where Itachi tried very hard not to give himself away by smiling, Sasuke managed to successfully climb onto his bed. His little brother remained on the edge for a moment. He was holding his breath and he could feel his gaze on his face.

Sasuke shuffled closer quietly and snuck under his covers, laying down next to him. Itachi rolled closer to his otouto and threw an arm over his small body gently. Sasuke wiggled under his arm and burrowed into his chest. Itachi hummed appreciatively and pulled the little child closer.

“Why aren't you asleep otouto?” He asked quietly.

Sasuke stiffened in surprise. Itachi’s eyes slid open and he gazed down at his little brother. He bit back an amused chuckle as Sasuke stared at him with wide eyes. His mouth was open in surprise and Itachi smiled in amusement. The small child ducked his head in embarrassment and curled his small hands into his shirt.

“I… I can’t sleep in a different place…it’s scary.” He whispered.

Itachi frowned at the knowledge. He was a seasoned shinobi so he had no trouble catching sleep anywhere. He could sleep on the hard ground or high up in the trees. He was accustomed to sleeping in unfamiliar places but his little brother did not share the same sentiments. Sasuke always slept in his own bedroom and he had only remained asleep in their journey because he had carried him in his arms. To Sasuke, he was familiar and safe. But this guest bedroom was unfamiliar and his little brother felt unsafe sleeping alone.

Itachi ran his hand along his brother’s back. He rubbed soothing circles gently and he rested his chin against the mop of black hair. He didn’t want Sasuke to lose any sleep. Sleep was important for young children and he didn’t want to impede his growth or damage his health.

“You can sleep with me whenever you want otouto,” he whispered softly. “I’d never push you away.”

Sasuke pulled back and stared at him with wide hopeful eyes. “Really really?”

Itachi laughed quietly. “Really really,” he confirmed gently.

“Yatta!” Sasuke cheered.

“Shhhh,” Itachi flicked him lightly on the forehead in a reprimanding manner.

“Ah, sorry nii-san.” Sasuke slapped his hands on his mouth and gazed up at him with wide troubled eyes.

Itachi tapped him on the forehead gently and kept an arm around him securely. “Rest Sasuke.”

Sasuke nodded and lowered his hands from his mouth. He gave him a bright sheepish grin and cuddled into his chest. The child latched onto his brother's shirt and rested his cheek against his collarbone. His soft breaths tickled his skin and he listened to his little brother’s soft breathing patterns. He pulled his small body closer - a fierce protective urge surged through his chest as he watched his little brother's chest rise and fall with small breaths. He gazed at the tiny hands that were curled into his clothing and he felt a soft smile stretch on his lips. His otouto was so small. He was so vulnerable. Itachi wrapped his arms around him protectively and hugged the small body to his chest gently. I will protect you. He promised silently. He closed his eyes and listened to the soft breathing pattern.

The gentle sound lulled him into a restful sleep.

Uchiha Fugaku gazed at the scroll in his hands with a serious gaze. His lips curled into a small frown and he sighed heavily, running a callused hand through his dark locks. He eyed the clock on the wall and he stood up slowly. He picked up his empty tea cup and made his way out of his expansive office. The Uchiha clan head reached the impeccable kitchen and turned on the kettle. He gazed around the empty kitchen curiously.

His wife had went upstairs to wake up his children - They were both uncharacteristically late to breakfast- He eyed the fish she left grilling on the stove top and his dark eyes widened in surprise. The food was burning. He quickly turned down the stove dial and he peered at the unset breakfast table with a frown. Fugaku dropped his teacup in alarm as the screams of Uchiha Mikoto rang through their home. The cup clattered to the ground noisily and it shattered on the kitchen floor in multiple fragments.

Fugaku ran up the stairs hurriedly. He burst into his elder son's bedroom where his wife was on the ground. Her pale arms were clutching on a bundle in her arms and she was kneeled over. He frowned and took stock of the room immediately. He frowned at the kunai wedged into the wall. Fugaku rushed to his wife and kneeled next to the formidable woman in concern. Nothing could ever alarm his wife- she was terrifying and ruthless- and yet she was shaking and omitting broken cries.

"Mikoto? Dear, what's wrong?"

Mikoto lifted her head and he saw what she was holding in her arms. He paled at the sight and he felt his heart drop to his stomach. It was Itachi's ANBU mask and it was slashed diagonally. Mikoto lowered the weasel mask and a few items clattered noisily to the ground. Fugaku's eyes fell to the items and his gaze widened in horror as he saw the two hitae-ates. One was red and stained heavily with blood, another had a slash across the centre. His breath hitched in alarm and he grabbed his wife by the shoulders gently.

"What is this Mikoto? What happened?"

Mikoto sobbed and opened her curled fists shakily. In her hands was a crumpled note. "They're gone..." She whispered with wide, red rimmed eyes. "Fugaku... They're gone."

Fugaku grabbed the note with a terrified countenance. "Who?" He whispered fearfully.

"Our boys are gone..." She croaked brokenly.

Mikoto began sobbing harder. Her small body trembled with broken tremors and she leaned against him for support. Fugaku blinked down at the two forehead protectors and he felt the dread settle into his bones. Our boys... boys... That meant the both of them. Itachi and Sasuke. His heir and his youngest child were gone. He shakily opened the note and his eyes widened at the curt harsh words. The writing was unmistakeable. It was his eldest son's neat penmanship. He read over the note and he felt his heart shatter into tiny fragments at the cold crisp words of his beloved child.

Father, mother.

Uchiha Shisui is dead. I watched him fall to his death with my own eyes. He was attacked, he had no chance at survival. He was brutally murdered. You both must be so proud of yourselves. My best friend is dead and I will never forgive either of you for this. I am taking Sasuke with me, neither of you can be trusted with him. I will not leave behind the only person who matters to me to be caught in the crossfire and to fall as a casualty for the Uchiha Clan's selfish whims. Do as you wish- seek peace or instigate bloodshed- I no longer care.

I have renounced the clan. I have renounced myself as heir. I will no longer bare the Uchiha name. Do not look for me. Do not look for Sasuke. He is safer with me. We will never set foot in Konoha ever again. Beware of Shimura Danzo. Beware of Root.

Farewell,

Itachi.

Fugaku's body trembled at the cold resolute words. His son had signed the letter with Itachi. He had denounced his Uchiha name entirely. He no longer signed with his heirship claim and rightful legacy. He had denounced them completely. His eyes widened in horror as he stared at the bloodied hitae-ate. Uchiha Shisui was dead? Fugaku felt his heart sink to his stomach at the unbearable news. Shisui had been so bright and kind. He had loved and lived for the village. He had been greater than life. Shisui was dear to their hearts and they had raised him like their own. Fugaku wrapped an arm around his wife's shaking shoulders and pulled her up steadily.

"What do we do? What do we do?" Mikoto sobbed. "Our boys... Oh kami Shisui... What do we do? Fugaku... What have we done?"

Fugaku stared at the note and he folded it carefully. He tucked it gently into his pockets and guided his wife downstairs with slow careful steps. He helped her take a seat at the empty breakfast table. Mikoto stared ahead blankly at the vacant seats where her children usually sat. She began sobbing again. Fugaku made his way into the kitchen robotically and he grabbed the tea kettle with shaking hands. He poured his wife tea and set the cup in front of her with a grim look. He blinked at the vacant seats at the breakfast table and he clenched his fists angrily. He turned on his heel sharply and made his way to the entrance. He put on his sandals hurriedly.

"Fugaku? Where are you going?"

"The Uchiha council needs to become aware of Uchiha Shisui's murder. Mark my words wife, we will make this village pay for what they've done."

The doors slammed behind him.

Chapter Text

VI.

The light of the moon illuminated the path through the thick foliage. The thirteen year old nin moved hurriedly through the tall trees, leaping from branch to branch tirelessly. His little brother was strapped to his chest securely and his unconscious cousin was tied to his back. The weight hindered him and he slowed his pace as he began to tire. Uchiha Itachi stopped abruptly on the high branch and gazed ahead with an unfocused gaze. His body was burning up and he felt ill. 

The weary thirteen year old suppressed a pained groan as his muscles protested his movement. The teen leaped from the branch and landed soundlessly on his feet. He eyed the clearing thoughtfully and lowered his cousin onto the ground, resting his body against a thick tree. They were on the edge of Fire Country. They had been on the road for three days - He barely rested and stopped - Sasuke believed the entire experience to be a prolonged camping trip. The five year old retained his excitement and he was happy to spend time with his favourite family members. 

Itachi smiled sadly, gazing down at his sleeping brother. His otouto was so innocent. It took very little to make him happy. He wasn’t a demanding child and he didn’t ask for much. All he wanted was his older brother’s time and attention. It was so simple. Itachi had never considered it before. All Sasuke wanted was assurance. Assurance that his brother wouldn’t abandon him. Itachi ran a hand over his brother’s unruly locks and he turned on his heel, leaping back to the trees to set the traps. He moved hurriedly, expertly weaving the strings and ropes, positioning the blades so they would neutralize any threats.

Threats were not only from bandits and passing shinobi. Threats were also their own people, the Uchiha Clan. His father would certainly hunt him down. Itachi renounced his position but Fugaku was a stern man who did not back down from his aspirations. He wanted Itachi to lead and he would force his hand if he believed it was best for him. The teen scowled at the thought.

He wouldn’t go back.

Never. 

He wanted to build a life away from the death and bloodshed. He had a pacifistic heart. He hated killing. He only did it when necessary. Itachi returned to his unconscious cousin and hurriedly set up their tent. He pulled Shisui inside the tent and bundled up his body with a number of blankets. He lowered Sasuke next to his cousin, putting them in the same futon for safety. Itachi turned on his heel and exited the tent. 

He pressed a hand to his hot forehead and his breaths quickened. He grit his teeth angrily at the realization. He was feverish. The thirteen year old opened his satchel and popped a few solider pills. He took a seat on a log and rested his back against the tree trunk, staring up tiredly at the sky. He couldn’t risk falling asleep. He had to protect his family. His breaths grew hot and rattled as the night passed. 

Itachi felt his eyelids flutter shut and he slipped into a fitful sleep.

The thirteen year old opened his eyes and he suppressed a pained groan. His entire body hurt. He peered at the moon and frowned. He had slept a few hours. Itachi stood up and he swayed on his feet. His vision spun rapidly and he grasped the tree trunk for balance. 

“No,” he whispered tiredly. 

He couldn’t afford to rest. 

He was very close to leaving Fire Country. 

The nin pushed himself forward and entered the tent. He smiled at the sight of his unconscious family. Itachi moved hurriedly, packing up the tent and provisions in his sealing scroll. He undid the traps and tucked his blades on his belt. He turned to his brother and cousin and frowned in dismay. The teen sent a silent prayer and moved forward, hoisting his brother upwards. He tied him in a soft blanket, securing him to his chest with a firm grip.

He hoisted his cousin on his back and grunted. Itachi reeled forward at the added weight and he dug his feet into the dirt desperately. He took a deep breath and leaped onto the trees, shunshining through the early hours of dawn.

Itachi moved tirelessly for many hours. The sun rose in the horizon and the air grew warmer. The teen slowed his pace as he saw the edge of the borders. He sighed in relief. He was out of Fire Country. The sign gleamed ahead in bolded letters, welcoming them. 

Welcome to Grass Country. 

Uchiha Itachi entered a civilian village with a tired gait. Kusagakure was a few miles away from his location. The nin moved through the sparse crowd of merchants and vendors with a pale face. His body temperature was haywire. His breaths were uneven and his hair was matted to his head. He hurried to a nondescript inn and rented a room for the night. He lowered his cousin on the bed weakly. He unravelled the blanket from his chest and placed Sasuke on the bed. He turned on his heel, stepping to set up the traps and alarm system. 

He swayed on his feet and tumbled down to the ground. He cursed helplessly as he hit his head on the edge of the dresser. The thirteen year old lay on the floor with a pained groan. The dark spots filtered through his vision and he blacked out.

Uchiha Sasuke’s eyelids fluttered slowly. He rolled on his side and gazed at his unfamiliar surroundings. He rubbed his tiny hands against his eyelids and sat up with a pleased smile. He had slept so well. He was very happy. He had been spending so much time with Nii-san. Nii-san gave him all the time and attention he wanted. He shared his bed with him and woke him up every morning with a gentle smile. 

Sasuke wished every night that their happy days would never end. The five year gazed around him in confusion. Nii-san was missing. He gazed at his unconscious older cousin with a sad frown. He had been praying every night for Shisui-san to get better. He really really wanted him to get better. Nii-san always looked sad when he looked at his cousin. Sasuke hated Nii-san being sad. He wanted him to be happy. He wanted him to smile more. Sasuke climbed off the bed with a grumble and he searched the room for his older brother.

The five year old froze in his tracks as he saw the unconscious form of his brother on the floor. No, no, no. Not Nii-san! The child rushed forward hurriedly, placing his hands on his brother’s body. Itachi’s eyes were sealed shut and his breath was uneven. His skin was hot and his chest rose and fell. Nii-san was hurt! Sasuke felt his eyes water and he shook his brother’s unresponsive form helplessly.

“Nii-san! Nii-san! Ne, wake up! Please, Nii-san!” 

The child began crying helplessly as his brother’s eyes remained shut. His cries turned into heartbreaking wails and the fat tears slid down his face. Nii-san was not okay. No, no, no. Nii-san was everything. He couldn’t die. The five year old gazed at his brother’s body searchingly. He froze as he saw the blood on his head. Sasuke’s breath hitched in alarm. Nii-san was bleeding. His head was injured. The five year old stared at the blood on the ground and he felt his entire body tremble in horror.

Head injuries were serious. His mother always told him to not run around the house in case he hurt his head. She always warned him that some head injuries could be fatal. Oh no. Nii-san could die. Sasuke felt his heart break at the thought and his cries magnified in volume. He didn’t know what to do. He had no idea what to do. He was weak. He was useless. His Nii-san was going to die. 

“Nii-san! Wake up! I’m sorry ne? I’m sorry I don’t listen all the time. Nii-san!”

Sasuke heard abrupt knocks on the door and his head shot up. 

“Is everything okay?” A man’s voice asked from the other side of the door.

Whispers and exchanged conversation occurred behind the door. There were a number of voices overlapping one another. Sasuke stiffened. His eyes widened and he stood up warily. He stood up in front of his brother’s prone body protectively. 

“I’m coming in.” The voice warned. 

Sasuke watched helplessly as the door was opened and a large man stepped in, followed by two adults, one female and one male. Sasuke stiffened as he eyed their forehead proctors. Shinobi. They were not Konoha shinobi. The five year old sniffled and he raised his trembling arms, spreading them out as he glared at the three adults. He was going to protect his Nii-san. He wouldn’t let them hurt him.

The nin paused at the sight, taking in the room with wide eyes. The kunoichi stepped forward. Her hard gaze softened as she saw him and she knelt down in front of him. 

“Hey kid, we’re not going to hurt you. What’s your name?”

Sasuke pursed his lips tightly.

Listen Sasuke, if we ever meet anyone outside, do not EVER tell them that you are an Uchiha. 

His brother warned him. There were bad shinobi out there who did bad things to people with special dojutsu. 

“Suzuki,” he spoke softly. 

The man and his partner stepped into the room fully. He watched one of them walk towards his unconscious cousin and he peered at his bandaged face curiously. Sasuke grit his teeth. 

“What happened here kid?” The man asked.

“My brother is hurt,” Sasuke spoke hesitantly, not once lowering his arms. They were beginning to hurt. 

“Yeah, seems like it.” The man spoke. He sighed and ran a hand through his messy brown hair. “Kusakabe, we got to run. Should we leave you to it and you can fill us in on the details later?”

The kunoichi nodded, turning her back to her teammates and she focused on the child in front of her. Sasuke lowered his arms warily and he stared at her with an expression of hope. 

“Will you help Nii-san?”

“Yes, I’m a medic. Let me look at him.”

Sasuke watched as her teammates exited the room and the kunoichi took a seat next to his unconscious brother. Her hands glowed with a faint green and she pressed her hands to Nii-san’s head. Sasuke took a seat on the floor and grabbed his brother’s hand. He squeezed desperately, praying for his brother’s health and well-being.

Please Nii-san. I’ll be good, please open your eyes.

The kunoichi worked silently for a moment. She withdrew her hands and smiled at him gently. “It’s fine, it was just a small hit. He got lucky. The fever will break after a day of rest. I’ll move him to the bed.” She leaned forward and grabbed Itachi’s arms, pulling him up on her back easily.

Sasuke’s eyes widened. “Wow, nee-san, you’re strong!” 

The kunoichi laughed. “I worked hard kid.” 

She laid Itachi on the bed and pulled the blankets over him. Sasuke stared at her with wide eyes. “Ne nee-san, why did you help us?”

The kunoichi smiled and ruffled his hair. “We’re from Kusagakure. Our medics usually help whenever we can. Also you’re all civilians so it's fine, it's not like you’re secretly shinobi in disguise.” She laughed. “Also…you remind me of my little brother, he always throws a hissy fit when I get the tiniest scratch.”

Sasuke smiled at her and remained silent. He stepped forward and tugged on her hand with a pleading expression.

“Ne nee-san, can you…” He licked his lips. “Can you look at…”

Don’t use our names, Sasuke. 

“…at my cousin. He’s hurt too.”

The kunoichi smiled. “Of course dear.” She stepped forward and moved towards Shisui’s unconscious form. 

Her hands glowed green and she moved her palms over his body. Her expression grew pinched as she hovered above his right knee. She raised her hands to his face and she gasped lightly. She lowered her hands and stared at him with wide eyes. 

“What happened?”

Sasuke frowned. He had no idea. Sasuke shrugged helplessly. “I…I don’t know. I woke up and he was like this. Nee-san, please help him. He’s family.”

The kunoichi’s expression hardened and she nodded. “Okay, I didn’t spend all these years learning how to heal to shy away from a challenge. Kid, close the door and bring me hot water and clean towels.”

Sasuke nodded and obeyed her commands. He moved hurriedly, grabbing the required materials. He joined Kusakabe on the bed and followed her instructions seriously. The kunoichi cut through his cousin’s clothes and bandages with expert hands. The five year old blanched at the sight of the injuries and he suppressed a gasp. Shisui was hurt. He was so so hurt. Sasuke felt his eyes water at the sight. He understood why his older brother looked devastated when he gazed at his best friend. 

Shisui looked very close to dying. 

Sasuke grit his teeth and stared determinedly at his unconscious cousin. Shisui would not die. He was strong. He was very very strong. He taught his Nii-san all his techniques. He protected Nii-san for years. He was family. Sasuke would not allow him to die. He wouldn’t allow it. No. No. No. Shisui would live a long and happy life with him and his Nii-san. 

The sun sank into the horizon and the kunoichi worked endlessly for long hours. Sasuke rubbed his eyes and he ignored the ache in his hands and legs as he ran around, refilling buckets of hot water and helping her with her task. 

Sasuke watched with wide eyes as the injuries were closed with healing chakra. He stared at the green glow with reverent eyes. Medic nin were remarkable. The kunoichi stepped back with a smile and her smile grew into a full blown grin as she peered down at him. She raised her hand for a high-five and he met her hand with his tiny fingers. 

“He’ll make it, I swear on my honour as a Kusa medic.”

Sasuke suppressed a loud cheer and he settled for bouncing excitedly on his feet. The kunoichi turned her gaze to the clock and her eyes widened. 

“Oh no! It’s so late already, look uhm…I can come back tomorrow to check but me and my team leave this village by dawn. Shit, I really don’t want to leave like this-”

Sasuke shook his head and he threw his small body at the kunoichi. He hugged her legs tightly and he beamed up at her with moist eyes. 

“Arigato nee-san!”

The kunoichi laughed and hugged him back. “Okay, you get some rest brat. Sleep a little yeah?”

Sasuke nodded and withdrew from her hold. She waved at him and turned on her heel, making her way out of the room. Sasuke closed the door behind her and he turned back to his unconscious family members. He rubbed his tiny fists against his heavy eyelids and made his way to Shisui’s bed. He pulled the blankets upwards gently, tucking them around his cousin’s body. He patted his chest gently and he looked over towards his brother worriedly. 

Itachi’s chest moved in even breaths. He smiled brightly, happy to see his brother healthy. Sasuke patted his cousin sleepily and -

“Sasuke?”

Sasuke’s head shot up and his dark eyes widened in shock as he stared at his conscious cousin. A dark eye stared at him curiously and the Jounin sat up with a low groan. He gazed around him with a questioning gaze and he turned to him with a look of surprise and confusion.

Uchiha Shisui was awake. 

Chapter Text

VII.

Uchiha Shisui gazed around with a wide eye. What am I looking at? He took a deep centring breath as he saw the unconscious form of his cousin on the other bed. What am I looking at? His heart thudded rapidly in his chest as he gazed at the bandages wrapped around Itachi’s head. He listened to the soft, even breaths and he blinked slowly. He felt tiny hands tug on his callused fingers and he blinked down in confusion. 

Right. 

Sasuke. 

The fifteen year old peered down at the small five year old who stared up at him with wide eyes, mouth agape in an expression of surprise. Shisui smiled a shaky smile, suppressing his panic as he stared at the tiny child. 

“Shisui-san!” Sasuke cried out as he wobbled onto the bed shakily and threw himself at him.

Shisui caught the tiny boy with a grunt. Sasuke babbled in his ear, whining and goodness he was crying! The older Uchiha patted the boy gently on the back and he gazed around the room critically. It was an old decrepit motel room, with little furnishing and a wide open window. The Uchiha peered out the window at the unfamiliar streets and structures. His eye widened further and he suppressed a gasp.

They were not in Konoha.

“- and you were asleep for so long! A-and then n-nii-san got hurt and sick and then there was the nice shinobi and Nii-san said not to tell anyone our names because bad people will steal our eyes so…so… a-nd I was so scared!” The little boy hiccuped and trembled in his arms. 

Shisui stared down at his crying little cousin and his mind spun at the implications. Itachi informed Sasuke to never share their names with anyone. The nin stared out the wide window, taking in the tall expansive structures. They were distinctly familiar. Shisui patted his little cousin’s back and his eye widened in recognition. 

Grass Country.

Itachi, what the hell?

He turned his gaze to the sleeping thirteen year old and he eyed his bandaged head with a concerned expression. He pulled the little boy away from his hold gently and he stared down at him inquisitively.

“Sasuke, what happened to Itachi?”

Sasuke hiccuped, his eyes were red and swollen. Shisui reached forward and wiped his wet tears with his sleeves gently. The five year old shook his head with trembling lips.

“I…I don’t know… you were asleep for so long.”

“How long?”

Sasuke scrunched his nose in thought. “Mmm…many…many days I think?”

Shisui nodded, tucking the child back into his arms. He threw his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, holding Sasuke to his chest. 

“Sasuke, you said shinobi helped?”

Sasuke nodded, curling his small hands into his shirt. “Ne, Nii-san was hurt and b-bleeding and nice shinobi helped… I couldn’t do anything…because I don’t know how to heal.”

Shisui took a deep centring breath. Nice shinobi. There was no such thing as nice shinobi. This was not good. They were seen. He stood by the window and gazed out searchingly. He eyed the vast landscape and greenery, eyeing the civilians who moved around with purpose in the late hours of the night. It was a civilian town. It couldn’t be too far from the hidden shinobi village.

Shisui frowned at the troubling thought. They needed to move. They couldn’t stay here, exposed and vulnerable, with an unconscious sick Itachi. The teen turned on his heel and he paused by his cousin’s bed. He eyed Itachi’s pale complexion and he pressed a gentle hand on his forehead.

He was hot.

Shisui lowered his little cousin next to Itachi and he knelt down in front of the child. He took the small hands in his own and gave them a reassuring squeeze.

“Listen Sasuke, we have to leave, tonight. Running into shinobi is… tricky business.”

Sasuke nodded with a small frown. “But is nii-san okay to move?” The child stared at his sleeping brother with a troubled expression. 

Shisui pursed his lips tightly. He had no other choice. Remaining in one spot too long was too risky. He suppressed a groan as he eyed his little cousin. There was no way Sasuke was here with permission - Itachi committed an act of kidnapping - Shisui’s eyes widened at the realization. The clan heir and the second born of the Uchiha Head were gone from Konoha. Uchiha Fugaku had no children to continue his line. His children ran away from their household. 

Shisui felt his mind spin at the implication. Not good. This was not good at all. The teen stood up and picked up Itachi’s bag. He ruffled through his cousin’s belongings, taking out a detailed map. He sat on the edge of the bed, mindful of his resting cousin and he peered intently at the geographic landmarks. They needed to disappear, they needed to lay low for a long time, until the Uchiha Clan stopped looking for them.

Shisui frowned. He doubted they’d ever stop. Itachi and Sasuke were too important. 

Sasuke shuffled over and climbed onto his lap, staring at the large map with an expression of confusion. Shisui smiled fondly and ruffled his hair gently. 

“Where are we going Shisui-san?”

Good. Sasuke was no longer crying. 

Shisui peered at the map. Grass Country - Kusagakure. Rain Country was close. Shisui frowned. Amegakure was unstable and too dangerous. He couldn’t risk it there. It was still close enough to Fire Country - a few days travel. Shisui ran a hand over his curly locks in frustration. Ame and Konoha did not have a good relationship. They could not risk being discovered as missing-nin from Konoha. It would alienate them, endanger them.

“Shisui-san, I’m sleepy.” Sasuke grumbled.

Shisui gazed down at the child in his lap and he smiled. “Go sleep, I’ll take care of everything.” He spoke softly. 

Sasuke nodded and leaned back into his hold. Shisui blinked in surprise as Sasuke rested his head against his chest, leaning comfortably in his hold as he fell asleep quickly. His small chest rose and fell in gentle steady breaths. Shisui stared down at his sleeping cousin and he released a long sigh. He ran a hard through the boy’s unruly locks and he gazed at Itachi with a troubled expression. The distance from Konoha to Grass Country was not a short travel distance. Itachi had carried him and Sasuke the entire way. He had shouldered the burden and made the difficult decision to leave the village to preserve his life. He had thrown away everything for him. 

“You idiot,” he whispered fondly. 

The teen sighed and gazed down at the map. They needed a place to disappear for good. He couldn’t return as long as Shimura Danzo held his position of power. Shisui ran a finger along the map, staring calculatingly at the lands with a thoughtful discerning eye. Fugaku and his men would look for patterns. They would send out retrieval teams to trace their steps. They would seek out notable places they frequented on missions. 

Shisui gazed down at the islands - he gazed at the body of water - it was an unstable climate, a dangerous dwelling. The Uchiha Clan would never think them foolish enough to go there. Shisui’s eyes lit up calculatingly. It was a risk, a monumental risk. He stared down at his sleeping cousins and his expression grew determined. Itachi had taken every risk and abandoned everything for his family.

Shisui would do the same. 

Itachi and Sasuke were his. His to shelter, to protect, to love. He wouldn’t let the clan come between them and endanger what little they had left. His cousins were all he had left. Shisui stared down at the Land of Water. Mizu no Kuni harboured a dangerous and unstable climate. It was also the perfect place to disappear. Destitute streets, missing-nin, an unstable political climate, it was a true danger zone. The Uchiha Clan would never expect them to be there.

Shisui’s dark eye glinted in anticipation. He stood up carefully, mindful of the sleeping child, he set him down on the bed and began packing.

It was his time to carry the weight of his family.

The brown haired child backed away from his father with wide, terrified eyes. His back hit the wall of his home and he stared at the villagers with a disbelieving gaze. They crowded around him, murmuring hatefully as they held their farming tools in their hands. His chocolate eyes took in the unmoving body of his mother, laying on the ground, motionless and dead. His eyes welled up in tears and he whimpered brokenly as his father raised his machete to deliver the killing blow to his only child.

The seven year old lifted his hands upwards in a defensive position. He closed his eyes tightly as he shielded himself and massive pillars of ice erupted forward from his hands. The pillars impaled his attackers and the pained screams and choked sounds filled the home. The rooftops creaked and began collapsing. The child opened his eyes to a gruesome sight of blood and death. He screamed in fright and he gazed at the corpse of his father with wide eyes. He pulled his body upwards shakily and ran out of the house, hot tears streaming down his face brokenly. The roof collapsed and it buried his home permanently, 

The child ran and ran through the wide fields of snow, moving desperately as he sobbed brokenly.

He lost everything.

The sounds of the battle echoed through the vicinity. The screams of pain filtered through the thick trees. The small child - six years of age -  ducked behind a thick tree and he crouched down on the ground. He gritted his teeth and held back a pained whimper as he crawled away from the battlefield. He moved past the fallen bodies, escaping the bloodshed with hot tears streaming down his pale face. He rolled into an open hole in the ground and he pulled thick branches and foliage over his body. He held his breath and listened to the thudding beat of his heart as the screams continued around him.

The silence descended on the clearing and he held himself tightly, waiting, waiting and waiting. The sky darkened and night fell. The sounds of crows feasting on the dead filtered to his ears and he retched violently in his hideout. The boy pulled himself upwards shakily and pushed the leaves and branches away from his body. He climbed out of the hole and stared at the field of the dead.

His entire clan was decimated. 

His green eyes stared helplessly at the men and women laying motionless. The pale child fell down to his knees and he whimpered brokenly. He had nowhere to go. The rain began falling, chasing away the blood. His soft silver locks were matted to his face and he pushed himself upwards shakily. He delved deeper and deeper into the mist, wandering aimlessly as the loneliness ensnared his heart.

He had no one.

Uchiha Shisui stared up at the rusty sign and he smirked in anticipation. He tightened his hold on his unconscious cousin and stared down at the sleeping child in his arms. He moved into the trees hurriedly and leapt through the thick foliage effortlessly. The sky rumbled above him and he cursed under his breath at the signs of rain fall. He stopped abruptly on the branch and lowered his body to the ground with a soundless leap. 

He stared behind him where the large sign stood, tilted and uncared for.

Welcome to Kiri no Kuni.

Chapter Text

VIII.

The wind blew raucously through the small village. The child weaved through the dark alleyways shivering and shaking. Wide chocolate eyes gazed up at the full moon and the boy bit back a broken sob. A loud grumble cut through the streets and he pressed a small hand against his stomach. He was hungry. He was cold. The boy blew hot air into his shaking hands and he moved through the destitute village. 

He entered an empty dark alleyway shakily. The boy lifted his head as he heard an animalistic snarl in front of him. His eyes widened at the sight of the large rabid dog, glaring at him with sharp onyx eyes. The child eyed the large bag of garbage behind the dog - the contents of the bag was spilled over - dried expired food lay on the icy ground. The child’s stomach rumbled pitifully and he clenched his tiny fists tightly, glaring at the dog with fake bravado.

The dog snarled in warning as the boy drew closer. The boy lifted his hands shakily and focused on channeling his abilities - come on, come on, come on - a small tendril of ice shot forth and hit the ground in front of the rabid canine in warning. The animal yelped in alarm and it ran on its heels, exiting the alleyway. The child walked forward and knelt down next to the bag of discarded trash.

He picked up the spoiled food and he whimpered sadly. Tears spilled from his brown eyes and he bit into the hardened cold bread. It tasted awful. He wiped his wet eyes furiously and bit down on the rotten food with a dismayed disposition. He gazed up at the moon tiredly, chewing slowly with a disgusted grimace on his cherubic face. His long hair fell into his face and he pushed the brown locks back with a pout. 

The boy gazed at a falling star stretch across the darkened skies with wide eyes. He recalled a warm memory of his mother telling him that stars carried wishes and dreams.

The seven year old lowered the piece of bread and he clasped his small hands together in a silent prayer. A desperate wish echoed through his heart and thrummed through every vein in his body.

  Please, someone, anyone, please help me.

The small child watched his sleeping brother’s form with wide, unblinking eyes. He heard a soft chuckle behind him and he turned around with an inquisitive gaze. His older cousin closed the door behind him with a soft click and he lowered his bag of groceries gently to the ground. Sasuke smiled at his cousin happily and he lifted his arms upwards as the older nin came closer.

Shisui heaved him up in his arms and they both stared down at the unconscious form of Itachi silently. 

“Ne, Shisui-san, when will nii-san wake up?” Sasuke wondered quietly. 

His dark eyes widened and he whipped his head upwards, staring at his cousin in alarm. “Will nii-san sleep for a long long time like you?”

Shisui shook his head with a fond smile and he moved around their small cottage. It was a humble home in the outskirts of Kiri no Kuni, deep in the woods and away from the small farming villages. It was an open cottage with no bedrooms. There was one singular bed in the corner of the room, a kitchen and sink on the right side, along with a wide fireplace. The bathroom was a small room with a single tub, sink and toilet. The plumbing was old and the five year old watched in confusion as his cousin pumped the water from the facet with a frown.

“No Sasuke dear. Itachi just needs rest.” Shisui spoke softly as he filled the bucket with cold water.

The fireplace was full of wood and there was a hot fire keeping the cottage warm. Itachi lay asleep on the bed, under a number of blankets. Sasuke had slept on the ground with his cousin, a few meters from the fireplace. Shisui had built a large fortress of blankets and pillows. He was out most of the day, gathering information and supplies. 

Sasuke reached forward and wrapped his arms around his cousin’s neck, seeking comfort from his presence. Shisui moved around the kitchen with ease, one hand held his small body gently. Sasuke felt a flick on his forehead and he pouted at Shisui with a dark look. The nin laughed softly and dropped a number of vegetables in the pot of water. He took the pot over to the fireplace and set it on the burning wood. 

“Itachi will wake up, I promise. Now how was your day? What did you do?”

Shisui took a seat in front of the fireplace, resting on the number of blankets and pillows. Sasuke turned in hold and he scrunched his nose thoughtfully. He had spent most of his day watching his nii-san sleep. He was very worried. He wanted him to be okay, to open his eyes again. It was scary, seeing his nii-san sick and unconscious. Sasuke stared into the burning flames. He wished he could help. He stared down at his tiny hands and his dark eyes lit up in thought. 

He recalled the green healing chakra. The Kusa Medic. It was all magical, like one big miracle. 

Sasuke turned to his cousin with wide, imploring eyes. 

“Ne Shisui-san, can you get me something when you go out?” He asked hopefully.

Shisui smiled and nodded. “Anything cousin, what do you need?”

Sasuke smiled shyly and he wrung his hands nervously. “I…” He licked his lips. “Mmm…you see when nii-san was hurt, I couldn’t do anything and then there was that nice Kusa nee-san and she healed nii-san…I…” He took a deep breath. “I want to learn to heal, can you…Mmm…get me books on healing?”

Shisui stared at him with a wide eye. Sasuke curled into himself unsurely and he stared at his cousin with a nervous expression. He wanted to help his nii-san. He wanted to learn how to heal, so when his nii-san or Shisui-san got hurt or sick, he could help them. He didn’t want to stand there and cry. He wanted to help, he wanted to fix nii-san when he was hurt. He wanted to take his pain and discomfort away. 

“I…when you were hurt I couldn’t do anything…and the medic lady helped you get better…and I’m scared what if you get hurt again and I can’t help…and nii-san too. I don’t want anyone to get hurt so…so…I want to know how to heal so I can fix you and nii-san when you get hurt…”

Sasuke trailed off hesitantly. Shisui-san was making a weird face. He looked conflicted, confused, happy, sad. There were many many emotions flicking through his face rapidly. It was all very confusing. The silence lingered. Sasuke wiggled in his cousin’s hold unsurely. Did he ask too much? 

“Is…it not good?” Sasuke asked softly.

Shisui shook his head and he pulled him in for an abrupt hug. Sasuke squawked in alarm and he patted his cousin on his back comfortingly. He didn’t like it when Shisui-san made troubled expressions like his nii-san. He wanted all the bad and negative emotions to stay away from his family. He wanted them happy and healthy.

“No Sasuke, it’s perfect. You’re perfect little cousin.” Shisui laughed.

His laugh sounded weird - a wet wheezing sound - and Sasuke patted him gently. 

“I will get you everything you need. Hell, I’ll even find you a good sensei if I can, I promise!”

Sasuke beamed brightly and tightened his hold on his cousin. He continued patting him gently. Shisui pulled back and he held him close, turning him in his hold. He took his small hands in his hold gently. Long callused fingers moved over his chubby fingers gently as Shisui explained the flow of chakra in the body in a low voice. 

Sasuke listened with large excited eyes and he squealed happily as Shisui’s hands lit up in a faint green colour. His older cousin admitted his inadequacy and limited knowledge in healing with an embarrassed laugh. Sasuke shook his head and absorbed the information greedily, staring at the green light in excitement.

He would become the best healer in the world!

He would heal every cut and bruise. He would take away all the pain from his nii-san and Shisui-san. He would protect his family. Sasuke reached forward and curled his small hands on Shisui’s fingers. He stared up at his cousin with a bright smile.

“I will become the best healer and I will protect you and nii-san!”

Uchiha Shisui made his way through the small farming village with a discerning gaze. He made his way into the grocery shop, buying ingredients for dinner. He paused by the meat aisle, staring at the hunk of pork thoughtfully. It was the cheapest meat on the market. Itachi needed the protein. Sasuke was a growing boy. He would not deprive them of their nutrients. Shisui picked up the uncooked meat and added it to his basket.

He turned on his heel with a small smile. He whistled a soft tune under his breath and he made his way to the counter, paying for his groceries. He exited the shop and made his way through the village. He nodded at the few merchants he frequented. His dark eye took in the decrepit structures with a sad smile. It was an impoverished town. The fifteen year old blinked up at the sky as the snow started falling with gentle flurries.

The Land of Mist had a cold climate with lots of snow. Shisui walked through the snow, mindful of the ice on the ground. He hummed softly, walking past merchants and farmers. He paused as he saw the bookstore up ahead. His eye lit up as he thought of his little cousin. Sasuke wanted to be a healer, a knowledgeable medic. His heart warmed at the thought. The son of Uchiha Fugaku wanted to become a medic; the old man would croak if he knew. Shisui chuckled at the thought and made his way into the bookstore, peering at the sections searchingly.

His eye lit up as he eyed the medical section. The clerk came over with a polite serviceable smile. She was a petite woman with sandy blond hair. She explained the different texts, publications and popular bestsellers. Shisui smiled a genial smile and eyed a beginner’s book on human anatomy. Sasuke would have to learn how the human body functioned in order to heal. It was a good place to start. He picked up the book and flipped through it curiously. His eye widened at the content and he shoved it hurriedly back on the shelf. 

It was not age appropriate. 

The diagrams were too… graphic.

Itachi would kill him. He would gouge his other eye for even exploring the avenue. Shisui snickered at the thought. He would revisit the idea when his cousin awoke. They would discuss it as a family and reach the best decision for little Sasuke. He wouldn’t act out alone, especially on something so big. It was Sasuke’s future. Itachi had to be involved in his choices. They were raising him together after all. Shisui waved to the clerk and left the bookshop. 

His mind spun in thought. He had fallen off the cliff - awoken - and now he was a father figure? Shisui suppressed a laugh at the ridiculous thought. What was Itachi thinking? He wanted to hug his cousin for his bravery and he also wanted to shake him angrily for his recklessness. They were both inadequate to raise a child - a five year old! - They were shinobi. They knew next to nothing on child-rearing. They were skilled prodigies - killers - hired mercenaries - not… not… not… parents! 

Shisui shuddered at the unwelcome word. 

Gah!

He was only fifteen. He was not ready for parenthood. His brain hurt from all the overthinking. Itachi will have the answers. He better have all the answers. The teen walked through his regular path distractedly. He blinked slowly as he saw a small child huddled on the edge of the bridge. Shisui frowned. The child was unfamiliar. Shisui had taken this route multiple times and he never encountered the kid. He eyed the tiny form curiously. The boy was pale and barefoot. He was dressed in threadbare clothes and he had long dirty hair that fell past his thin emaciated shoulders.

Shisui swallowed uncomfortably at the depressing sight. He hated seeing children suffering. Orphans were common in the village. Homelessness was not a new phenomena in Kiri. The sight of the little child was wrong. He appeared abandoned, forgotten, bereft of kindness and warmth. 

It was heartbreaking. 

The snow fell ceremoniously, coating the bridge and unmoving boy in layers and layers of white. Shisui sighed heavily and kept moving. There was nothing he could do. He had enough on his plate with his unconscious best friend and little cousin. 

This did not concern him. 

The world was cruel. 

Shisui paused in his steps and he shook his head angrily at his thoughts. He was better than this. He turned to the little boy and the kid stiffened in alarm as he drew closer. He backed away from him and his back hit the railings of the bridge. His small body trembled and he stared up at him with fearful eyes. Shisui moved forward and the kid flinched, raising his arms protectively in front of him. Shisui paused and he frowned at the sight. The child was traumatized. He didn’t trust strangers. He was anticipating pain and violence from his presence. 

He couldn’t take him home. There was only so little he could do to help. Shisui took off his thick woollen scarf and he eyed it for a reflective moment. It was a deep red - thick and soft - it was knitted by Mikoto-sama, given to him as a belated birthday present. Shisui smiled softly at the memory and he knelt down in front of the kid. 

“Hey, you look cold.” He spoke softly.

He reached forward and wrapped the red scarf around the little boy’s neck. The boy lowered his arms and stared at him with wide brown eyes. Shisui smiled as his face was engulfed with the large scarf. Wide brown eyes stared at him unblinkingly. 

Shisui frowned as he eyed his small little feet. He gritted his teeth at the sight. Why was he barefoot in winter? He knew Kiri had orphanages. Shisui rummaged through his bag and he pulled out thick woollen socks. He had purchased them earlier for Sasuke. Itachi hadn’t packed clothes for the winter season. Shisui slipped the warm socks on the child’s cold feet and he leaned back. He pulled out a box of fruits and left them in front of the child. 

He stood up with a weak smile and made his way down the bridge. Shisui looked over his shoulder and met the child’s brown eyes. He sent a silent prayer to Amaterasu to send aid to the boy.

  Please, someone, anyone, please help him.

Chapter Text

X.

The teen’s lashes fluttered slowly and he winced as the soft lights assaulted his dark eyes. Uchiha Itachi blinked his eyes slowly and he sat up with a small sigh. The thirteen year old blinked at his unfamiliar surroundings and his breath hitched in alarm. Where am I? He gazed around him with wide eyes, cataloguing the wooden walls and sparse furniture with a sense of alarm. 

Sasuke!

He tossed the blankets off his body and he leaped out of bed. He heard the noises filter through the walls and he ran outside in his thin layers of clothes, uncaring for the cold and snow. Itachi threw the door open and he honed in on the small body of his little brother. Sasuke turned around with wide eyes and he dropped the snow ball in his hands in surprise. 

His little brother was dressed in many layers and he waddled towards him with a happy grin. He wore a large fluffy hat, a thick blue scarf, fluffy mittens and a large black coat that was a size too large. Itachi felt his panic recede as he eyed the precious form of his little brother. Sasuke was safe. He was alright. Itachi watched with soft eyes as the five year old tripped on his feet and landed in the snow with an omph.

“Nice of you to join us sleeping beauty.” A cheeky voice commented. 

Itachi gazed ahead and his eyes widened in disbelief. Shisui stood a few meters away dressed in warm layers of clothing. He was grinning at him brightly. The left side of his face was bandaged up and his sole dark eye was twinkling with familial warmth and affection. He was standing tall - healthy and whole - waving at him cheekily with both hands. 

Itachi choked on his heightened emotions. 

Alive. 

Itachi’s nose scrunched up and his eyes welled up in hot tears. The chances of Shisui’s survival were minimal. The healer had told him to prepare himself, to prepare his heart for the inevitable farewell. The thirteen year old shunshined forward and he threw himself at his best friend. Shisui laughed and caught him easily, wrapping his arms around his trembling form. Itachi took a deep centring breath and he rested his head on his cousin’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

Alive.

Whole.

Healthy.

“You’re an idiot.” Itachi hissed angrily as he curled his hands into his cousin’s sweater.

He still didn’t forgive his idiot best friend for jumping off the cliff as a sacrificial martyr. 

Shisui hugged him back equally as tight. “You’re a bigger idiot!” He hissed back lowly. 

“Seriously, leaving Konoha with Sasuke. Dude… I woke up and nearly had a heart attack seeing his baby face staring up at me in the middle of a decrepit motel room. What were you thinking Tachi?!” He whisper-scolded. 

Itachi scowled. “I don’t care. We’re here now and we are never going back. Never. You will not fight me on this Shisui. It’s already done.”

Shisui sighed heavily. “Fine Tachi, but we need to buy books on child-rearing. This is insane.”

Shisui wasn’t very angry with him. He was using his nickname from their childhood days. The younger Uchiha listened to the steady beat of his best friend’s heart and he tightened his hold on him. Alive. Itachi lifted his head as he felt a small hand tugging on his shirt. He gazed down and saw Sasuke staring at him inquisitively with wide, concerned eyes. Itachi released one arm from his cousin’s waist and offered a hand to his little brother with a reassuring smile. 

Sasuke beamed up at his brother and he took his hand with a gloved mitten. He hugged his leg with a happy excited cry and the Uchiha laughed and sniffled. They were okay. They were all here. They would all be okay. He had his family with him, safe and sound by his side. 

Nothing would come between them. He would allow nothing to endanger his loved ones again. No coup. No clan politics. No Shimura Danzo. No village to serve. Nothing would come between them ever again. 

Alive. 

He would have it no other way. 

He would tear the world apart to keep his precious people safe.

The teen made his way onto the bridge and he paused in his steps. His dark eye widened and he hurried his gait. He knelt down in front of the cold child and the boy’s chocolate eyes lit up in recognition. Shisui frowned and he gazed at the child’s thin form. He was still here, sitting idly on the snow covered bridge. The boy stared up at him and he smiled a small shy smile. Shisui lowered his face in his hands and bit back a groan. 

“Kid, do you have anywhere to go?” He asked quietly.

The boy shook his head with a self-deprecating frown. Shisui sighed heavily and rummaged through his bag of groceries. He handed the child the packages of bread and cheese with a small smile. He stood up and took a step, pausing as he eyed the boy. He wouldn’t last in the cold. Shisui frowned at the thought and took off his coat. He handed the coat to the bewildered kid and waved to him, making his way off the bridge.

Amaterasu, he prayed, please send the poor child a saviour.

Shisui stopped in his tracks and he frowned heavily. The kid was still there. The child lifted his head with a hopeful expression and his brown eyes grew warm at the sight of him. Shisui felt his heart break. He had unintentionally imprinted on the poor boy. The child came to expect him. He looked forward to their limited interactions. The fifteen year old raged internally at the cruelty of the world and cursed the adults who abandoned the poor kid. He knelt down in front of the boy and ruffled his dirty locks with a sad smile.

He rummaged through his bag and pulled out fruits, bread and cheese. He frowned - Itachi would soon question why he came back with half their grocery list each time - Shisui shrugged at the thought and pressed the food into the child’s cold hands. He leaned back and he froze as the boy grabbed his sleeve with a small trembling hand. 

Shisui blinked at the unexpected touch. 

The boy gave him a low shaky bow.

“Thank you,” he whispered softly. 

Shisui felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. He nodded and stood up with a torn expression. He moved away from the bridge with quick steps - his heart harboured a storm of tumultuous grief - his face was stricken with lament. He wanted to help. He wanted to shelter the kid but he couldn’t commit to it. Itachi would not welcome it. He couldn’t blame his cousin. It was too risky to take in another child. They were on the run. They moved around too much. They would leave Mist soon. 

Itachi had chosen their next destination - The Land of Wind. A large vast landscape of sand. They had a better chance of a new life there - more anonymity - a better safety net. They would depart soon. Shisui ran a hand over his face tiredly. He clasped his hands in a silent prayer -Amaterasu-

The Uchiha paused in his steps and he turned back to the bridge. What good were prayers without any actions? He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t turn away. Shisui gritted his teeth. Now what? He couldn’t come home with an extra child. He needed a plan, a way to convince Itachi. Shisui’s eye widened and he grinned wolfishly. There was one little person who could convince Itachi to jump through flames.

If Sasuke ordered his brother to jump, Itachi would obey and ask how high? 

The Uchiha rushed back into the woods, disappearing into the thick mist. He slowed down his pace and entered their quiet cottage. He honed on his little cousin who sat drawing in his book by the fireplace. Sasuke was staring down at his drawings with a concentrated look, his small pink tongue peeked out of his mouth. Shisui cooed at the endearing sight and he lowered his bag of groceries. 

Itachi was in the shower.

“Hey little cousin, want to go on a walk to the village?”

Sasuke’s eyes lit up and he nodded eagerly. 

“Go get your stuff.”

Shisui helped his cousin put his coat and winter clothes. He hollered out to his best friend that they were going on a walk. Itachi acquiesced and the nin led his cousin by the hand, chatting about asinine matters. He stared down at his little cousin, watching the little boy take in the village with wide excited eyes. He smiled softly. Sasuke was precious. He loved him so much. 

He kept up pretences and showed his cousin around the village. They walked for an hour, taking in the limited sights of the impoverished village. They made their way to the bridge and Sasuke knelt down, picking up a bundle of snow with his gloved hands. He chatted excitedly about his medical dream, his eyes bright and expressive. Shisui watched as his cousin froze in his steps as the little boy honed in on the occupant of the cold bridge.

The brown haired child lifted his head and his eyes widened in recognition as he saw him. His expression grew saddened as he saw Sasuke - like he was anticipating rejection - Shisui held his breath and he watched Sasuke trot over to the abandoned child. He believed in his cousin’s good heart. Please, please, please. Sasuke stopped a meter from the homeless boy and he stared at him with a troubled pout. 

“Ne, you look cold. You shouldn’t be out here.” Sasuke spoke with a frown. “You can get sick and when you get sick, everything will hurt.”

The boy blinked at him with wide eyes. He stared up at Shisui with a helpless expression. 

“I…” He licked his dry parched lips. “I have no where to go…” He whispered sadly with wet eyes. 

Sasuke gasped. “No mom and dad?”

The kid’s bottom lip trembled and he shook his head. “I have no one.”

Shisui felt his heart break at the words. Sasuke frowned and he stepped forward, grabbing the boy’s cold hands. He tugged him forward with a distressed whine. 

“You can come with us, ne? You can be warm and healthy. If you stay here you will turn into a snowman! Do you want to become a snowman?” Sasuke reprimanded with a glare.

The kid’s eyes widened. “I…I don’t want to become a snowman…” He stared up at Shisui with a hopeful expression. 

Shisui grinned and he knelt down in front of the abandoned child. “Do you want to come with us?”

The child gazed at him with wide hesitant eyes. He looked over at Sasuke who nodded at him eagerly. He turned to Shisui and gave him a hesitant nod. The Uchiha smiled softly and he stepped forward. His arms reached forward and he lifted the thin, malnourished child in his arms gently. The boy curled into his arms and he mumbled softly with wet eyes.

“You’re warm.”

Chapter Text

X

Uchiha Shisui walked carefully through the snow with his arms full of a cold and emaciated child. He listened to Sasuke chat next to him as they made their way through the thick woods to their secluded cottage. Shisui felt his stomach flutter in nerves. Itachi was not going to be happy with his spontaneous actions. The Jounin stared down at the quiet kid in his arms and he tightened his hold in determination - Haku - The boy had shared his name in a quiet whisper. Shisui had no intention of letting him return to the cold, lonely bridge. Sasuke rushed ahead and pushed the door open, announcing their return.

Shisui passed through the open door and he closed it behind him with a gentle click. Itachi sat in front of the fireplace, drying his wet hair with a towel. His cousin lifted his head and he blinked at the sight of bundle in his arms. His dark eyes narrowed and he stood up with an expression of confusion.

“Shisui,” he began quietly.

Shisui smiled unapologetically. “Is the hot water still in the tub?”

Itachi frowned and nodded slowly as he made his way over to them. He inspected Sasuke with his gaze and looked up at him inquisitively. 

“Well, our little friend here needs a bath and some hot water. Talk later Tachi?” 

“Shisui, what-”

“Ara ara, I have to go while the bath is hot. Later little cousin!” He sang with a grin as he side stepped around his best friend. 

“Nii-san!” Sasuke called out, latching onto his brother’s legs. “We found Haku on the bridge, he was going to become a snowman!” 

Shisui took the opportunity to escape into the small bathroom. He heard Itachi inquire softly, his voice bewildered and concerned for his little brother. Shisui set the little boy on the edge of the tub and he lowered a hand into the water, testing the temperature. It was warm enough. He smiled reassuringly at the silent kid and he reached a hand forward, patting him gently on the head. 

“Is a bath okay?” He asked softly. “Haku, right?”

The boy nodded and he stared at his frozen clothes with a downtrodden expression. Shisui eyed the clothing - they were not salvageable - They were threadbare and hardly sufficed for the cold weather. He helped the child change out of his wet clothes and lowered him into the warm water. Shisui grabbed the scented soap and small bottle of shampoo, helping the child wash up gently. He talked as he washed the brown long locks, speaking softly of his explorations of Mist. 

Half an hour later - when Haku was squeaky clean and with shining locks - he helped him out of the tub, wrapping him in thick towels. He left the bathroom hurriedly, rummaging through his clothes for something to fit the child. Shisui frowned at his belongings - His clothes were too large. He stared around the cottage, eyeing the bags tucked by the fireplace. He peered at his cousins - Itachi was in the kitchen preparing dinner. He was staring into a pot with a thoughtful expression. Sasuke stood on the stool next to him chatting and washing the vegetables. 

Shisui shuffled towards the bags and went through his cousins belongings. Sasuke’s pants were too short but the width was fine. The Mist child was all bones and sunken cheeks. He picked up a pair of soft cotton pants and grabbed a shirt and sweater. He rushed back into the bathroom, ignoring Itachi’s calls. Shisui entered the warm place and he smiled at the kid reassuringly. He handed him the clothes. 

“Get dressed up, I’ll be right outside.”

The boy nodded mutely and he took the clothes with small hands. Shisui pursed his lips at the boy’s vulnerability and he stepped out of the bathroom. His eye widened as he ran into his cousin. Itachi did not look happy. The teen had his arms crossed over his chest and was glaring up at him impatiently.

“Will you explain?” Itachi demanded.

Shisui lifted a finger to his lips and shook his head. “Not here,” he spoke as he took his cousin’s arm and pulled him away from the door.

“You said you’d go on a walk with Sasuke and you come back with a little girl-”

“Boy.”

“What?”

“He’s a boy and his name is Haku. Uh…Sasuke saw him and he wanted to help.”

Itachi arched an unimpressed eyebrow. “Really?” He deadpanned. “And he happens to have your scarf that you supposedly lost a week ago, oh and let’s not forget the fact that you always seemed to lose a number of our groceries over the past two weeks. I’m not an idiot cousin.”

“Gah! Fine fine, I…look he was on the bridge, starving and freezing to death. How can I turn away from that Tachi? You can’t ask me to do that.” He stared at his best friend pleadingly. 

“Shisui…he can’t stay.” Itachi spoke with a troubled expression.

Shisui opened his mouth to protest. His cousin raised his hand.

“No listen, we are on the run. I’m not saying this to be a heartless jerk but this kid…he would be in danger if he joined us. We…we don’t even know anything about him.”

“He’s a kid!”

“And there are orphanages in Mist. Why was he living on the bridge then?”

“I…I don’t know but…Itachi look this isn’t the point.”

“That is precisely the point.” His cousin spoke heatedly, jabbing a finger into his chest. “I cannot take in a child I know nothing about on a whim. I have to protect Sasuke, he is my priority and he always will be. This kid…I can’t.”

“And I’m not asking you too Tachi!” Shisui grabbed his cousins shoulders and tightened his hold. “Look, I will take care of him, I promise it won’t get in the way and I won’t jeopardize Sasuke’s safety. We could use an extra hand too and Sasuke needs to socialize to grow up healthy.”

Itachi scrunched his nose. “I didn’t socialize his age and I grew up fine.” The teen protested.

Shisui stared at his cousin and he fought back an amused smile. He chuckled as his best friend glared at him in offence. 

“What? I grew up just fine.”

“Tachi… you talked like a retired old man as a kid…and your only friend is me and only because I kept bothering you as a kid and chasing after you all our childhood until you relented to my company.”

“That’s…that’s… Fine!” The teen glared at him and turned on his heel. 

“Love you too cousin!”

“Hn.”

Shisui smiled in relief and he turned to the bathroom door as it opened. He smiled at the adorable sight - Haku was such a precious looking child - Large chocolate eyes, pale skin and straight brown hair. Underneath all the dirt and layers, he was hiding a beautiful appearance. Shisui held back the urge to coo and he waved the boy over. Haku walked over to him hesitantly. He wrung his tiny hands in his sweater and he stared up at him with wide unsure eyes. 

“Ano…I…Uhm…”

“You hungry?” Shisui asked.

The child nodded hesitantly. Shisui grinned and he laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, guiding him to the dinner table. Sasuke ran over, nearly tripping on his feet in excitement as he joined them. Shisui laughed and broke the five year old’s fall with a hand. Sasuke eagerly took a seat next to Haku and turned to him with an excitable expression.

“Nii-san is the best cook ever!” The five year old gushed reverently, bouncing in his seat. “You’re going to love it Haku!”

“Hora otouto, did you wash your hands?” Itachi asked as he placed the pot at the centre of the table. 

Sasuke pouted and slid out of his chair, grumbling about strict older brothers. Itachi ruffled his hair as he walked past him, smiling fondly. The thirteen year old set the table quickly and he served his brother. He handed Shisui his bowl with an indigant sniff - He was still offended - Shisui bit back a laugh. He would have to make it up for his friend. Perhaps buy him dango on the way out of Mist. Itachi stared at the small newcomer for a brief moment and he handed him his bowl of vegetable soup. 

“Careful,” Itachi spoke to the little boy. “It’s hot.” He said softly.

Shisui bit back an excited cheer of joy. His family was growing and it filled him with great happiness. The Jounin watched as the kid picked up his spoon with small fingers. He ruffled his hair gently and his heart warmed as Haku gave him a small, shy smile. Haku lifted the spoon and took a small bite, his eyes widened and he curled into himself. Small sniffles resonated through the room. The three family members watched in alarm as the child gave them a watery smile and a quiet whisper of gratitude Thank you. Shisui wrapped a comforting arm around the boy as the tears ran down his cherubic face.

He would protect this child, with everything he had. 

Chapter Text

They walked through the streets, their pace was hurried and eager. The bags were on their backs and they cut through the alleyways during the early hours of dawn. Lightning Country was filled with a distinctive landscape. Snow shifted into greenery and the small group made their way through desolate thick woods.

The small child walked alongside his older brother. His steps were quiet and his dark eyes were curious as he eyed his surroundings. He chatted about unimportant matters, eager to make it to their new destination - Wind country. Uchiha Sasuke gazed ahead with dark eyes, his small pale hand held on to his brother's shirt and he blinked slowly at the sight of the thick branches. The five-year-old tilted his head curiously, eyeing the silver threads that stuck out from the foliage. 

Sasuke paused in his steps - it was such a strange sight - His hand slipped out of his brother’s hold. Itachi was speaking to Shisui - he was engaged in an important adult conversation - Distracted, Sasuke stepped towards the bushes. He peered at them hesitantly and his dark eyes widened as he saw the shift - The silver threads disappeared - A bunny rabbit? 

Sasuke smiled excitedly and delved deeper into the thick foliage - his brother’s voice drifted away. He made his way into the bushes and winced as a sharp vine caught his leg. He shifted his feet awkwardly and moved in, crawling into the hole. The hole grew deeper and deeper - a cavernous space opened up. It was hidden from sight - Sasuke crawled on all fours and he eyed the silver strands on the ground. They were few and they illuminated his path.

He picked one up curiously - Soft. He ran the texture between his fingers and gazed ahead into the darkness. He crawled and felt around him, small hands patting the cold ground gently. It was dark. Sasuke froze as he heard a shuffle in the dark cave - the sound of haggard breathing - Bunny rabbit! He crawled quicker towards the noise. He wasn’t going to hurt the bunny - he just wanted to give it a few nice, gentle pets and maybe hug it a little.

The child patted the rocks and he paused as his hand met a soft surface. He patted the area - Not a bunny - and he felt a heartbeat. Sasuke’s eyes widened and he sat on his knees, staring at the dark silhouette. 

“Ano,” he began unsurely. “Are you a bunny rabbit?”

There was no answer - just the sound of breathing - Sasuke frowned. It sounded painful - like Shisui’s breathing when he was unconscious and hurt. The Uchiha pursed his lips in concern and he leaned forward, moving his hands carefully. His eyes widened - Not a bunny! - It was a body. Sasuke backed away hurriedly - Oh no! - and his back hit the wall. He whimpered in fright - a body hiding in a dark cave was not a good thing. 

Sasuke closed his eyes tightly and he pressed his hands to his eyelids tightly. Nii-san! He recalled a storybook his mother read to him about a yōkai who lived in a cave and lured children and maidens inside to snack on them. Sasuke’s bottom lip wobbled - He didn’t want to become food for a yōkai. 

“Don’t eat me,” he pleaded as his eyes filled up with tears. “I…” He hiccuped. “I don’t taste good ne?”

Sasuke heard the sound of shuffling - the body moved in the dark - and he heard a laboured cough. “Go…” a low whisper. “Go away.”

Sasuke’s eyes widened and he wiped his wet eyes. Yōkai-san sounded soft and young. He expected animalistic scary growls, not a gentle low voice. “Ne yōkai-san, will you let me go?”

The voice coughed again. “Yōkai? I guess…that’s fitting… someone like me is a yōkai. Go kid…” 

Violent hacking. 

Sasuke frowned in concern. Yōkai-san sounded very hurt. 

“Ne yōkai-san, are you okay?” He shuffled closer, reaching out a hand carefully. 

SMACK!

Sasuke reeled back in shock and he held his bruised hand to chest. His small shoulders trembled and his eyes widened in terror. He blinked slowly, feeling his hurting palm. It was wet - Why?

“Go away!” The yōkai hissed. It sounded angry - its voice was a low growl - Sasuke’s eyes watered - He only wanted to help - Yōkai-san was nice enough to not eat him. The voice broke off into wet, rattling coughs. 

“Go, don’t…” A pained hiss. “Don’t tell anyone kid…” A wet cough. “Or else…” A groan. “...i will come and eat you.”

Sasuke’s eyes widened in terror and he nodded eagerly. “I won’t tell anyone!” He promised. 

The five year old peered into the darkness with a troubled gaze and he crawled away hurriedly. He made his way out of the deep hole, crawling with a racing heart. The sound of the hacking and wet coughs drifted as he neared the entrance. He saw the crack of light and he pulled his body through the thick vines. He stared up at the bright skies and he heard the sound of the panicked voices - Sasuke! -

The five year old made his way away from the hideout, glancing at it with troubled eyes. He peered at his hand and he gasped at the sight of the blood. It was the yōkai's blood. He knew it! He was hurt. Sasuke pulled away from the tree and he wiped his hand hurriedly - He couldn’t tell anyone. Or yōkai-san will come and eat him. What if he ate Nii-san and Shisui-san? Or Haku? Haku was tired and he slept a lot. yōkai-san could come for him! No! He wouldn’t tell. He couldn’t tell! 

Itachi broke through the trees - Sasuke! - and he ran towards him with a panicked expression. He picked him up in his arms, hugging him tightly. The five year old held onto his brother tightly and he embraced him back - Nii-san! - Itachi inspected him with gentle hands and he gazed at him with a worried expression. Shisui landed next to the pair silently with the unconscious Haku in his arms.

“What happened? Where did you go?” Itachi demanded.

Sasuke shook his head. “I…got lost…” He won’t tell on yōkai-san. 

Itachi sighed and flicked him in a reprimanding manner on the forehead. “Silly otouto, don’t run off. These woods are dangerous.”

Sasuke nodded. The woods were very dangerous. They had monsters hiding in dark holes. He held onto his brother tightly and he closed his eyes, refusing to look at the hideout as his brother led him away. Away from the dangerous monsters that lurked in dark places.

The six year old listened to the sound of the people drifting away from his hiding spot and his thin shoulders slumped in relief. He gritted his teeth tightly, pressing his hand to his bleeding side. He took a deep centring breath and bit back a pained whine as he pulled his body upwards. The pale child leaned back against the cold walls and he stared ahead at the darkness that surrounded him.

The hideout was reminiscent of his old cage - His clan had kept him locked up in darkness his entire life - They only pulled him out when they needed his abilities, his powers. The sweat trickled down his face and he closed his eyes tiredly. He hadn’t expected a child to crawl into his hideout. The boy stared down at his bloodied hand and he sighed - it was an innocent boy - he hoped he didn’t hurt him too much. Yōkai-san. The child huffed in amusement - it was a fitting name - He was monstrous from a blood thirsty clan that did nothing but hurt other people. It was true - he was a monster - The little boy was not wrong about him. 

It was better this way. 

People were safer away from him.

He needed the child away from him - the kid and the adults. Adults were dangerous. They couldn’t be trusted. He couldn’t be taken in by another clan - He was tired - of the darkness, of the bars - he didn’t want to serve and fight. His head slouched forward as the black dots filled his vision - Fatigue, blood loss and starvation weakened him - He leaned against the wall and passed out, a small thought accompanied him as he lost consciousness. 

Finally, it's quiet.  

Uchiha Shisui stared down at his small cousin curiously. Sasuke was acting strange. The fifteen year old stood up and made his way past the tent - Haku was fast asleep, bundled up in many layers. The group had set up camp a few miles into the edges of the woods, near a steep cliffside. They couldn’t risk building a fire - They were still in Lightening Country and it was too risky. Itachi sat with his little brother in his lap. He was speaking to him in soft intonations. 

Shisui joined his cousins and he crossed his ankles, sitting across from the pair. He stared at Sasuke - The boy was pale and he was trembling minutely. He exchanged worried glances with Itachi and the younger Uchiha shook his shoulders helplessly. Shisui leaned forward and carded his hands through the gravity-defying locks.

“Sasuke dear, did something happen?” 

Sasuke shook his head hurriedly and he turned his head away, hiding in his brother’s chest. Shisui furrowed his brows and he eyed his little cousin - Sasuke curled his hands into his brother’s thick sweater and he refused to talk. Shisui’s eye widened as he caught his little cousin’s sleeve - Blood - Itachi’s eyes widened and he gently pried his brother’s hands off his shirt, inspecting his injury. 

Shisui blinked as he rolled the sleeves down, seeing unmarred pale skin. 

“Sasuke, where did the blood come from?”

Sasuke gasped and he tugged his sleeve away with a guilty expression. “No,” he pouted stubbornly. “I won’t say.”

“Otouto, please,” Itachi spoke gently, hugging his brother close. “We’re worried.”

“No, no, no!” Sasuke whined and his eyes welled up with tears. “He said don’t tell, I won’t tell! Never, never, never!"

The cousins exchanged bewildered glances as Sasuke sniffled wetly and the tears streamed down his chubby cheeks. Blood on his cousin’s body was not a good sign. It could mean many things - an enemy nin - someone had touched Sasuke and endangered him. Shisui felt the hot rage pulse through his body. The idea of someone reaching out and attempting to injure his precious little cousin filled him with rage. He exchanged meaningful glances with Itachi and the younger mirrored his determined look. 

Shisui signed silently to his cousin - I will go investigate - Itachi nodded and he signed back - Stay safe - The teen nodded and stood up. He shunshined away hurriedly, retracing their steps back to where they lost their little cousin. His killing intent rose as he thought of his baby cousin - Sasuke was five! - What kind of monster would try to hurt him? He pulled out a kunai blade and he landed silently on his feet, masking his chakra entirely. He weaved through the trees searchingly. 

They had found Sasuke a few meters South of - Shisui paused as he saw the dried droplets of blood on the thick vines. His dark eye gleamed. He crouched down and sliced through the thick foliage, clearing them out. He blinked at the dark opening - a hidden cave - How did he miss this? He crouched down and crawled in. His sharingan flared to life and he moved into the dank, cold space. He sensed a flickering chakra energy - The enemy was not masking their presence perfectly. It was a weak, faint and fluttering energy. 

Injured. He catalogued mentally. Good. He thought vindictively. He made out a hunched silhouette against the cave walls and he took out a number of shuriken silently. He slid them in between his fingers expertly and he gazed at the unmoving body. The sound of wheezing pained breaths reached him. The nin lifted his hand and took aim - 

Shisui paused abruptly. 

Something was wrong with the shape…No…The size…Wait…Why was the silhouette so small? Shisui lowered his blades cautiously and he moved forward. He rummaged through his pockets and he took out his lighter, flicking it on. Shisui’s breath hitched at the sight. What…the…hell? Oh hell. He misunderstood. He misunderstood drastically. The nin crawled hurriedly to the unconscious child and he gazed down at the heavily injured body. He blanched at the sight of the gaping wound. 

He lifted the unconscious boy in his arms gently and made his way out of the cave. His heart thrummed loudly in his chest - He almost killed a little boy unwillingly. Shisui felt sick to the stomach. He had overreacted. Shisui broke out of the hideout and he stared down at the unmoving body in his arms - Pale, pale skin, paler than the Uchihas, silver white hair, heavy bruises - an amalgamation of purple, blue and black littered the boy’s pale skin. Small soft breaths escaped small chapped lips. 

Shisui tightened his hold on the kid and he raced back to the camp sight. He ran ahead - pushing forward on fast legs. He had almost killed the small injured boy. The child was hiding, injured and bruised in a dark cave, alone - Fuck, fuck, fuck. Don’t die - The guilt ensnared his heart tightly - Don’t die kid. He had almost became a monster - Don’t you dare die kid. He broke through the clearing and landed in the centre of the camp sight. 

Itachi lifted his head and he stared at him curiously. His eyes widened at the sight of the injured and unconscious boy in his arms. Sasuke gasped loudly and he crawled off his brother’s lap. 

“Is that…” Itachi swallowed as he stared at the little boy.

“He was in the cave… shit Itachi…I think this kid is dying.” Shisui lowered him on the ground. 

“Itachi, help me.” He demanded with shaking hands. 

Sasuke stood off to the side, staring down at the unconscious boy with wide eyes. Itachi rushed forward and he took off his bag, taking out his medical kit. Shisui took a deep breath and he cut the boy’s shirt open - blanching at the sight of the numerous bruises and gaping wound - Holy hell. Itachi’s breath hitched and he shakily opened his medical kit. Shisui grabbed his water bottle and rinsed his hands hurriedly. 

His palms lit in a healing green and he ran his hands in a diagnostic jutsu. “Cracked ribs - three of them - acute dehydration and starvation and… shit… that’s a stab wound on his left side.”

Itachi’s eyes bled into his sharingan and he watched Shisui’s diagnostic jutsu. His hands glowed a healing green and he ran his palms over the boy’s ribs gently.

“All these bruises…Itachi… this…” Shisui took a deep breath. “Shit, I…” His voice cracked. “I almost killed him,” he whispered brokenly. His hands shook as he stopped the bleeding. 

“I…Amaterasu… I thought it was an enemy-nin and I was a second away from throwing my shuriken…at him… Itachi… I was going to become a monster.” 

“You didn’t know.” Itachi spoke heatedly. 

Shisui shook his head. “That doesn’t excuse my actions. Shit, I don’t kill children Tachi, I don’t.”

Itachi fell silent. 

The sound of Shisui’s unstable breaths filled the clearing. He was angry - angry at his actions - He stared helplessly at the pale boy. He lifted his head as Sasuke stepped forward with wide eyes. The five year old knelt down and he whined in distress. His eyes welled up with fresh tears. 

“He said he w-was a yōkai…” Sasuke confessed brokenly. “I…I didn’t know…he was a p-person. I didn’t know…”

Itachi leaned back and he stared at his little brother tiredly. Shisui glared down at his bloodied hands - the boy’s blood painted his pale fingertips - and he grabbed the bandages hurriedly, wrapping his sides gently. He pressed a hand to his hot forehead and he cursed under his breath, pumping more healing chakra desperately. He worked tirelessly - uncaring for his own fatigue - and his cousins watched him work silently. Itachi was solemn and Sasuke was crying and hiccuping in his brother’s arms. 

The kid’s eyes remained closed. The sun began to set in the horizon and the darkness fell around them. Please, please, please. Shisui leaned back and he pulled his hands away. He did everything he could. He stared at the kid’s bandaged body with a frown. He hated the sight of an injured child - a child in pain - suffering silently. The shinobi world was cruel - children were victims. 

Shisui refused to sleep. He sat by the kid, staring at him with a tired and guilty expression. He was small and delicate looking. The same size as Sasuke - he couldn’t be older than six - malnourished and weak. Shisui stared down at the boy’s small hands, eyeing the dried blood on the tiny pale fingertips. He took hold of the tiny hand - The boy’s hands were so small. His hand engulfed the kid’s hand entirely - and he sent a silent prayer to Amaterasu. 

Please. 

Morning came. 

The sun rose high. 

Itachi prepared a warm breakfast and he urged him to eat. Shisui shook his head and he remained vigilant. Their younger charges woke up - Haku joined him with a worried gaze and the small child stared down at the injured boy curiously. He turned to Shisui with wide chocolate eyes. Shisui smiled tiredly and opened his arms for the kid, pulling him into an affectionate bear hug. 

“What happened?” Haku asked softly.

“He’s hurt.” He explained quietly. 

Haku turned in his hold and stared down at the kid. “Will he stay?” He asked in a whisper.

Shisui felt Itachi’s silent stare on his face - He lifted his head and gazed at his cousin in silent communication - Don’t make me into a monster Tachi - Itachi’s expression saddened and he nodded - I understand - The younger Uchiha turned and went into the tent to wake up his little brother. Shisui ran a hand through Haku’s hair and he nodded against his soft brown locks.

“Yes, he stays.” He whispered. 

Shisui didn’t know the kid’s circumstances - He didn’t know anything about him - but he wasn’t blind. The bruises, the broken ribs, the numerous injuries, hidden away in a cave alone - It painted an ugly picture - a picture of abuse and mistreatment - a child of war - a victim. 

He couldn’t turn his back on the boy. 

He couldn’t become a monster. 

Haku nodded and he wrapped his small arms around his neck, giving him a hug. “I’m glad,” he whispered. 

Shisui smiled - Haku was very kind - Just like Sasuke. All his children were so kind. He was so proud of them all. The Uchiha felt his eyelids flutter tiredly - Haku was warm in his hold - He shook his head, trying to remain awake. He heard a soft gasp and he sat up hurriedly. Sasuke was kneeling next to the kid and his expression was shocked. Shisui leaned forward and his heart thudded rapidly in his chest. 

The boy was waking. 

Soft pale lashes fluttered slowly - tiny fingertips twitched - a soft groan - and Shisui found himself staring into brilliant teal eyes. The kid frowned in disorientation and he stared at the bright skies with a confused frown. His eyes widened and he stiffened, tilting his head to the side warily. His expression grew fearful as he saw their group and his limbs shook as he tried to move his body. 

“Don’t move.” Shisui spoke as he gently pushed Haku beside him.

The kid swallowed and he wheezed in pain as he refused to listen, trying to sit up. Shisui watched in panic. The kid was shivering and trembling. He was terrified. Bruises, bruises, bruises. Shisui watched with a torn expression - he couldn’t touch him. He knew what the bruises meant. The kid only knew violence and pain. 

Shisui leaned forward and he raised his hands imploringly. “Please,” he whispered with a desperate expression. “I don’t want you to open your wounds,” he explained softly. 

“Please,” he pleaded. 

The kid froze and stared at him with a bewildered expression. 

Shisui felt his heart break at the sight. “Please,” he repeated. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

The boy stared. 

His expression shifted in suspicion and -

“Hora! Moving is bad!” A voice cut through.

Shisui blinked startled as Sasuke leaned forward in the kid’s personal space - all up in his face with an angry pout. He pushed the boy down and huffed in irritation. He grabbed the kid’s cheeks and squished them with his tiny hands, staring down at him with a pointed look.

“Moving will hurt you and then your hurt will grow bigger and Shisui-san spent the whole night making you feel better so no moving!” Sasuke squished his cheeks warningly. “Don’t make Shisui-san sad! I will be very angry with you for making Shisui-san look sad! And you you you LIED! You said you were a yōkai, that’s mean! Friends don’t lie to each other! Lying is bad, shame on you! Now don’t move or I will…mmm I will…hum…not give you any of my special tomatoes! Hn.”

The kid froze - staring at Sasuke with large eyes. Shisui felt a smile break onto his face as Sasuke continued holding the kid’s cheeks, glaring at him with a cross expression. Haku joined them and he smiled sweetly, waving to the pale boy. 

“Sasuke-kun’s special tomatoes are very yummy.” Haku chirped. 

“They are! And I won’t share any if you continue being a bad patient! Hora, no moving! You…you…what’s your name?”

“Ano Sasuke-kun, maybe you should let go of his cheeks.” Haku commented with a giggle.

Sasuke frowned and he released his hands reluctantly. He stared at the boy expectantly and sat by his side. The kid blinked slowly - and he tilted his head to the side - staring at all of them warily. Itachi made his way over with a hot bowl of soup. He sat next to Shisui and kept his distance from the distrustful patient, letting the younger children gain his trust. 

“Name.” Sasuke repeated. “I refuse to call my new friend yōkai-san, that’s just mean!”

The kid’s eyes widened and he coughed a dry parched cough. Shisui took out his water bottle and made his way over to the kid. He smiled gently and helped him sit up slowly, holding the water bottle to his lips. The kid refused to drink and he scrunched his eyebrows in defiance. 

“It’s okay, it’s just water, I promise.”

The kid refused to budge. Shisui pulled the water bottle away and he took a sip, swallowing clearly. He turned to the kid and raised the bottle slowly, showcasing his intentions. The kid swallowed desperately and Shisui pulled the water away. The boy began coughing violently and he ran a hand gently down his back, grimacing as the boy flinched at the unfamiliar touch.

“Small sips dear,” Shisui spoke softly. “Too much and you can choke.”

Itachi came over with a hot bowl of soup. “It’s tomato soup with basil and thyme, something light because you have signs of prolonged starvation.” His cousin explained softly as he eyed the injured kid. 

The kid stared at the bowl reluctantly. Itachi’s eyes grew troubled and he picked up a spoon, taking a bite. He swallowed and handed the bowl over to Shisui. Shisui smiled at the kid and he held the spoon to his mouth. The boy glared at him and he began trembling heavily. His fingertips twitched and he refused to open his mouth. 

“I know you are old enough to eat by yourself dear but you’re too injured,” he explained softly. “Just a few bites, please?”

The kid reluctantly took a bite - glaring at him the entire time like an indignant cat - He was adorable - His eyes were beautiful, bright and full of emotion. Shisui helped the boy eat, small and slow bites. 

“Ne, what’s your name?” Sasuke wondered.

“Sasuke, he’s eating.” Itachi chided.

Shisui smiled and lowered the bowl proudly. The boy had consumed everything. He helped him lay down and pulled the soft blankets over his small form. The children gathered around him curiously - their faces eager and friendly. Shisui sat back, watching them carefully. The boy refused to speak. He glared at the adults and he eyed Sasuke and Haku with a sense of confusion and helplessness. 

Shisui smiled softly as the boy gazed towards him. Warm onyx met wary teal. Shisui sent a small  friendly wave to the kid, vowing silently to himself - promising to do everything in his power to ensure the kid regains his health. He lifted his gaze as Itachi took a seat next to him. He handed Shisui a bowl of hot soup and the two cousins watched the children interact.

Itachi leaned into his side and whispered. “We had two children when we left Kiri.”

Shisui nodded.

“Now, there’s three.” Itachi spoke softly.

Shisui felt the tremors run through his hands - He watched the pale boy interact with his kids - He had nearly killed him - He tightened hold on his soup. “Itachi -” He began tiredly. 

Itachi placed a palm on his shaking hands, steadying him with a reassuring touch. Shisui lifted his head in surprise and he stared at his cousin. 

“I understand.” He squeezed his hands comfortingly. The younger Uchiha sighed and his lips quirked upwards in a reluctant smile. “He stays, right?”

Shisui felt his shoulders slump in relief and he smiled at his best friend. “Thank you.”

Itachi scrunched his nose and turned back to his soup. “Hn.”

The pair turned to watch the children. Shisui bit back a laugh at the endearing sight. Sasuke was scowling at the kid’s unresponsiveness and he reached forward, squishing the boy’s cheeks with his pudgy fingers. The boy froze and stared at the tiny Uchiha with wide eyes, his expression was unsure and hesitant in the face of another kid. Haku sat watching them interact with a serene smile, his small shoulders were shaking as he began giggling. 

Itachi snorted next to him as they listened to their youngest member threaten their newest member’s tomatoes - Hora I will eat them all! - Shisui felt his shoulders shake in amusement and he grinned brightly, feeling elated and relieved at the heartwarming sight. 

The small red haired boy stared at the children playing together and he curled into himself, watching them with deep yearning. He wanted to play with them but they hated him. They always ran away screaming when he tried to join them - calling him a monster and demon - The five year wiped at his moist eyes and he sniffled sadly. 

He watched with wide eyes as the ball sailed above his head. It was stuck in the branches. The children gathered underneath the tree and they whined and complained loudly at the inconvenience. The red haired boy stood up hesitantly - He wanted to help - and he lifted his tiny palms upwards, commanding his sand to retrieve the ball. 

The sand deposited the ball in his open palms and he turned to the children with a shy smile. He froze at the expressions of hatred and fear. The children sneered at him - Monster! - Stay away! - I hate you! - Go away! - The Suna child flinched at the mean words and his jade eyes watered. He stepped forward, eager to hand back the ball back. The children screamed as he neared them and they ran away from him. The boy watched brokenly as they ran off, leaving him alone in the playground.

The child stared down at the ball in his hands and he let it drop on the ground. Thump, thump, thump. The bouncing of the ball echoed in the vacant playground. It was loud. The boy knelt down next to the ball and he stared sadly at the round object. His chest hurt - His eyes grew moist and his bottom lip trembled.

Being alone hurt so much. 

Chapter Text

XII

Uchiha Shisui walked through the camp sight with quiet steps - a small smile played on his face as he eyed the sleeping children. He bent down, packing the tent quietly. His cousin was out setting a false trail to throw off their potential pursers. 

Shisui paused by the silver haired child, watching his small face twist in pain. He settled down next to him, hands hovering unsurely above his matted hair. The boy whined in his sleep and his small hands were curled into tight fists. 

Shisui eyed the sun - it was near time to set out. He gently set a hand on the kid’s shoulder, tapping him gently.

“Hey kiddo, it’s just a dream. You’re safe, no one will hurt you.” He whispered softly.

I promise, no one will hurt you on my watch.

Shisui rested a hand on the kid’s forehead, pursing his lips tightly. His skin was too hot - feverish - riding out an infection from his wound. The teen grabbed his medical pack, ruffling through it anxiously. He crushed the painkillers and antibiotics in a cup of water and gently nudged the boy awake. 

Teal eyes snapped awake - hazy and unclear - and a pained whine escaped small chapped lips. Shisui’s eyes dimmed at the sad sight and he waited patiently as the kid stared at him in confusion. Awareness set in slowly and the boy stiffened, eyeing him in suspicion and fear. 

Shisui hated that expression. 

It felt wrong.

Shisui moved slowly, showcasing his intentions as he held up the waterskin. He maneuvered the boy upwards, ignoring his flinch and fearful expression, and he pressed the small cup into small shaky hands. 

The kid glared at him, expression angry and distrustful. 

Shisui smiled softly. “Painkillers, nothing else, I promise,” he whispered earnestly. 

The boy continued to glare angrily. It was hardly an intimidating look. 

Shisui sighed. “I’m going to continue packing, we’re going to head out and well…it’ll hurt more without the medicine.”

He stood up and left the boy to his choices, moving through the camp and waking the rest of his group. Sasuke whined and rolled in his sleeping bag, disappearing under the warm layers. Shisui huffed and turned to his second child - Amaterasu he had children! - and he gently poked him awake. 

Haku blinked sleepily at him, rubbing his tiny hands against his eyelids. He eyed the half-packed camp-sight and offered to help sweetly. Shisui smiled and nodded, offering him a pack for the sleeping blankets. 

Shisui undid the tent and kept an eye on their newest addition. He eyed the thin pale arms, littered with numerous bruises and shallow cuts. The kid was holding the cup in a shaky grasp, glaring at the content with a pout. The teen turned away with a frown and packed the bags. 

“Hey,” Itachi spoke, appearing silently behind him.

Shisui smiled. “Hey cousin, all done?”

Itachi nodded, peering at his sleeping brother with a fond expression. “No luck?”

Shisui huffed. “None, sleeping beauty refuses to wake up.”

Itachi’s lips quirked upwards and he walked over to his dosing brother, pulling him expertly out of the sleeping bag. Shisui chuckled as the whines and indignant grumbles filled the space as Itachi scooped his little brother up. The teen secured their belongings in his storage scrolls and clipped them onto his belt. 

Shisui made his way over to the quiet child, beaming brightly as he saw the empty cup. 

The kid glowered at him, sitting stiffly. 

“We will head out, I’ll have to carry you.” He explained gently. 

He crouched down and the kid stiffened. Shisui picked him up carefully, mindful of his injuries.  The boy was like an unmoving rock in his hold, wary and stiff. The jounin turned to Haku and smiled, crouching down in front of him. 

“We will be moving quickly, climb onto my back.” 

The kid clambered onto his back and clung on tightly. Shisui exchanged nods with Itachi and they took off, leaving Lightening Country. 

The small child ran a hand along his itchy arms, scratching at the cuts that marred his pale skin. The wind caressed his silver hair and he watched as the trees speed by him as the two shinobi moved out of the woods to an unknown destination. 

He was not stupid. He knew they were shinobi - the way they carried themselves, the way they moved and their medical jutsu - it all spoke of their occupation. 

He didn’t know where they were taking him. 

They were strange. 

They gave him food and medicine. Soft blankets and kept him near their children. They did not make him sit separately, away from everyone else, behind bars in the dark. They did not glare at him and whisper, gazing at him with angry eyes. 

The curly haired man - teen - held him gently, moving at a fast pace. His movements were careful as if he did not want to jostle him. 

Kimimaro did not understand the gentle treatment. 

He did not know what they wanted with him.

They did not give him a mission. 

They did not press a kunai into his hands and push him into the front lines.

What did they want?

His existence - although painful - had been simple. Mission, cage, mission, cage, mission, cage. Kill, eliminate, kill, eliminate, kill, eliminate. Kimimaro was injured and he had no weaponry.  He did not need it to inflict grievous damage. 

He was the last of his clan - with a rare and powerful kekkei genkai. He could grow bones out of his body, shaper than knives and destroy his opponents with practiced ease. 

The six year old shifted and he rested against the Shinobi’s chest. He was tired. Everything hurt. He felt a steady heartbeat beneath his ear - thump, thump, thump - It would be easy, so easy to kill the teen. The nin did not know what he was capable of. All he had to do was press his palm against his chest, grow out a sharp thick bone and pierce his heart. 

Dead.  

But he didn’t want too.

There were children. 

He lifted his head and blinked at the boy who was staring at him from the teen’s back. The boy smiled shyly and waved - chocolate eyes warm and soft. Kimimaro ducked his head, ignoring the boy’s crestfallen expression. 

What did they want with him? 

What 

did 

they 

want?

Nothing made sense. 

He closed his eyes tiredly - He hated not knowing - He didn’t want to go back to his cage - mission after mission, blood after blood, death after death. His eyes prickled with hot tears. He hated it. It was painful and so dark. He gasped as he tears spilt past his cherubic cheeks. 

He couldn’t control them. 

Kimimaro felt a small hand on his shoulder and he blinked up in confusion. The kid - Haku? - smiled at him with sad eyes. The boy blinked in puzzlement - What did he want? - The boy reached out his hand and wiggled his fingers, speaking softly. 

“Hand please.”

Kimimaro frowned. 

“Give me your hand please,” Haku repeated.

Kimimaro blinked. 

Oh well.

He reached upwards, holding his hand out in confusion. The kid pressed a small round object in his hand and he withdrew with a smile. Kimimaro stared at the wrapped ball in confusion - He hadn’t seen anything like it. 

“It’s candy, it’s yummy. Taste it.”

Kimimaro unwrapped it slowly, staring at the white circle. He sniffed, wrinkling his nose at the sweet unfamiliar smell. He stared up at the kid warily. Haku smiled at him openly. Kimimaro lifted the circle, breaking it into half. He handed the other half to the kid and stared at him with narrowed eyes. He was unsure of its poisonous properties. 

Haku beamed at him - Why was he so happy? - and he popped his half in his mouth. 

Kimimaro watched him with narrowed intensity. The kid swallowed and stared at him expectantly. 

Kimimaro stared at the small object in his palm and popped it into his mouth hesitantly. His eyes widened. It was sweet and chewy. It was nice. He swallowed thickly and sniffled, wiping his wet eyes angrily. He chest felt heavy with a foreign feeling and his breath stuttered. 

It was too much. 

What did these people want? 

He didn’t understand. 

The six year old leaned into the warm body and hiccuped, emotions going haywire. 

Kimimaro felt a large hand on his back, steadying him gently. 

It was warm.

The group paused in their journey and settled at the bottom of a large waterfall. Kimimaro watched apprehensively as the teens spoke to each other, setting their companions down. The boy settled onto his feet and he stumbled, nearly face planting. The teen caught him and he set him against a rock with an apologetic grimace. 

“Sorry kiddo, just let me set up the tent and you can rest inside.”

Kimimaro watched him with narrowed eyes. He didn’t understand him. He was at his wits end. 

“What-” he grimaced. 

It’s been so long since he last spoke and it hurt his throat. His voice was raspy and filled with disuse. 

“What… will you…do…to…me?” He rasped out, chest heaving from exertion. 

It hurt to speak. 

The teen’s eye widened and he stared at him with a shocked expression. He smiled - it was a small quirk of lips - and he reached ahead, brushing a silver hair behind his ear. Kimimaro flinched, staring at the teen in bewilderment - What was the purpose of such an action? - The touch didn’t hurt. 

It was gentle and brief. 

Strange and unfamiliar. 

“Nothing kid, I just want you to get better.”

Kimimaro blinked in confusion. 

“Why?” He rasped. 

“Because you’re hurt.”

The teen smiled and stood up, dusting his pants. He walked over to the edge of the stream and grabbed his scrolls, emptying their content. The kid took in the sight around him, searching for the threat. The Candy boy - Haku? - was pulling cooking ware out, looking at the older shinobi for direction. The other teen - he was shorter and regal-looking handed the smaller one - Tomato boy - a tiny bag and the boy shuffled over.

Kimimaro leaned back into the rock, watching with wary eyes as the boy ran over to him. Ah, it was the kid from the cave. He was small - the smallest out of the group - and he had strange hair that stuck up oddly. He beamed at him, holding a small box in his hands. He took a seat across from him, expression open and lips stretched in an excited smile.

The children around him smiled too much. 

Why?

“Ne, ne we should play in the water later. Oh but its cold, maybe when its gets warmer we can play together in the water. AH! You have bandages,” the kid pouted, staring at him with a troubled frown. 

“Sorry, we can’t get those wet right here. Look! Tada! My special tomatoes!” He presented his treasure with sparkling eyes, holding up small tomatoes in tiny hands. 

He pressed the tomatoes into his unresponsive hands and bounced in excitement. “Try them! They’re very yummy!” 

Tomato boy leaned in with gleaming eyes. “I call them baby tomatoes because they’re so tiny,” he whispered dramatically as if he was sharing a big secret. 

Kimimaro stared at the baby tomatoes. The kid popped a few in his mouth and chewed, making excited content noises as he ate. Kimimaro stared at him, expression befuddled. He popped a small tomato in his mouth and he chewed slowly. 

It was nice.

His face scrunched up in distress as the boy beamed at him in childlike happiness. 

“Ne, what’s your name? You know friends have to share names with each other right? It’s like a big rule of friendship.” 

Friendship?

He didn’t understand.

He gazed at the teens setting up camp. He stared at the curly haired one and he stiffened as he glanced towards them. The teen smiled at him and gave a little wave, turning back to the tents. The pair stood a few meters away from them - moving expertly through their equipment. 

Kimimaro looked towards the little boy seated in front of him. He was counting the baby tomatoes with a serious expression. He was within his reach, close to his touch, all trusting and uncaring to the danger in front of him. The little boy was seated so close to a monster and he had no idea.

“Please,” the boy spoke with big imploring eyes. “I won’t ever call you youkai-san because that’s mean and nii-san says I have to always be polite and res-res…mmm ress…something…”

Kimimaro stared helplessly at him. The kid’s shoulders slumped and he looked like so heartbroken. 

Can monsters have friends?

“Can…” He licked his dry lips. “Can…monsters have…friends?” He asked helplessly.

The boy stared at him, expression thoughtful. 

He nodded with a smile. “Yes, everyone needs friends!”

Kimimaro heard a strange wounded sound - a heartbroken noise erupted from somewhere - Oh. It was from him - and he kneeled forward, eyes wet as the sound stretched out. He heard the boy panicking and footsteps drew closer. 

Large gentle hands, warm on his skin, chakra glowing green and young distressed voices. A calm soothing touch and he hiccuped, breathing desperately as he latched onto the closest body as strong arms held him gently. He lifted his head and stared at sole dark eye, a pale face and thick dark curls - an expression of concern - a cacophony of noise and inquiries - Where does it hurt? What happened kiddo? Nii-san! I don’t think he likes tomatoes! Should I give him candy? 

The six year old shook his head and hiccuped, mind a mess of innumerable thoughts.

He looked at the shinobi and found the little boy hovering close. 

“Ki-” he rubbed his wet face, breathing deeply as they waited for him patiently. 

A gentle hand pushed the hair out of his eyes gently and he hiccuped. 

“Kimi…Kimimaro…” He whispered. “My name…”

The teen smiled - soft and happy - and he tucked a silver strand behind his ear. 

“Shisui, I’m Shisui.

Chapter Text

XIII

The teens walked through the merchant village, pace unhurried as they weaved through the crowd of vendors. The shorter teen held a basket in his hand, pausing occasionally to eye the fresh vegetables on sale. His little brother was perched on his hip, staring down at the scenery with excitement. A few meters stood a taller teen, carrying one silver haired child on his back and leading the other through the crowds with a gentle hand. 

Haku tugged on Shisui’s hand, pulling him through the crowds with a soft smile. The streets were full of people - exuberant and loud. The small seven year old passed by a shop, pausing in his steps as he eyed the items on display. His attention was thoroughly captured and his hand slipped from Shisui’s hold. The child’s brown eyes sparkled and he pressed his tiny hands to the glass, body vibrating with want.

On display was a beautiful flowery kimono, floral pink in colour with patterned lilies. 

He loved it!

Haku pressed his palms to his cheeks, gushing silently to himself. 

It was so pretty.

He watched a pair of mother and daughter walk into the shop eagerly. The young girl squealed over her selection and disappeared within the racks. Haku lowered his gaze sadly. He couldn’t ask his guardians for anything more. They already gave him so much and he did not want to annoy them.

Haku couldn’t give them a reason to leave him behind.

He turned on his heel, gazing away from the pretty kimono. His heart stuttered in his chest. Oh no. He couldn’t see Shisui. He couldn’t see anyone he knew. Haku let out a scared whimper, clenching his hands tightly. He took a few calming breaths. He couldn’t have his ice release itself. 

He didn’t have great control.

Shisui cannot find out.

He was a monster who killed his own family. 

Shisui cannot know the truth. 

Haku took a deep breath, eyes watering in unshed tears at the thought of losing the one person who treated him so kindly after the loss of his home. Everyone had ignored him on the bridge - for weeks and weeks - Yet Shisui had not. He had stepped forward with a warm hand and warmer smile. 

The boy wiped his wet eyes.

Maybe this was better.

Shisui was good. Sasuke was good. 

Itachi didn’t like him.

Maybe he wasn’t meant to be found. 

Did Shisui even care? He had Kimimaro now. He didn’t need him. He would only bring him trouble and pain, just like he did to his mother. She died because he couldn’t suppress his abilities.

Would Shisui die too?

The child backed away from the market, slipping into an alleyway as his heart shattered into multiple pieces.

Maybe Shisui wouldn’t even notice. 

This was better - He deserved to be alone.

Shisui smiled as he eyed his cousin glancing non discreetly at the dango vendor. He stepped towards him and nudged him with his hip. Itachi stared up at him, blinking curiously. His basket of groceries were full - They had found another abandoned cabin in the woods and stayed there until Kimimaro rested more. 

“We have enough, go get some.” Shisui encouraged with a smile.

Itachi’s face grew blank. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Shisui chuckled and pushed his cousin towards the vendor. He plucked Sasuke out of his arms easily - The kid let out a tiny protest and wiggled in his hold. Itachi frowned - dark eyes narrowed as he glared at him in mock anger. Shisui dropped the ryo in his palms and shooed him away with a fond smile. The younger huffed and turned on his heel, rushing straight to his beloved dango. 

Shisui lowered Sasuke on the ground, pinching his chubby cheek in reprimand. He settled Kimimaro on the empty bench and ruffled the boy’s hair. 

One, two, wait…

Shisui’s eye widened and he stood up hurriedly, gazing around him searchingly. Concern settled in his chest and he made a sound of surprise. He couldn’t see Haku through the crowds. Shisui waved Itachi over frantically as he made his way back with his sticks of dango. 

“I can’t…Haku!”

Itachi’s eyes widened and he gazed at the large crowd. “When did you last see him?”

Shisui frowned. 

When?

Amaterasu.

“Too long,” he whispered in horror. 

Itachi frowned. He knelt down and scooped up the kids in his arms. “Go, we will help you look.”

Shisui sprinted back into the crowds, heart thudding rapidly in his chest. Shit, shit, shit. He lost his kid. He lost his little boy. He thought of the precious sweet boy with soft smiles and kind eyes. A tiny child that was very delicate and pretty for words. He ran past a group of ruffians and he clenched his teeth, eyeing their cargo.

If anyone touched his kid, there would be hell to pay. Shisui searched frantically, running into his cousins at different points. He looked beseechingly at Itachi and the younger shook his head sadly. Sasuke let out a pained whine, eyes brimming with unshed tears. The little boy was attached to Haku - clinging to him and urging him to constantly play together. 

Haku was inherently kind - sweet and warm - It was impossible to not love the child. Shisui eyed the darkening skies with mounting terror. No, no, no. He couldn’t leave him out alone in the dark. His little boy was all alone and scared. He was supposed to protect him and shield from the horrors of the world. 

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Not Haku.

Shisui rushed through the market, taking to the rooftops. He surveyed the scene, watching as the crowds dwindled. He swallowed thickly, his heart clenching in pain. Come on, come on, come on. He shunshined uncaringly - disappearing and appearing in a flash of black. He tugged on his thick curls in panic. 

It was fully dark.

He circled the market, hope dwindling with each hour. He ran into Itachi who stared at him with wide eyes. The boys were asleep in his arms. He tugged his cousin close - He knew Itachi felt guilty. His cousin kept his distance from the two boys, not wanting to get attached. He didn’t agree with Shisui’s decisions and he was occupied with Sasuke.

Shisui didn’t blame him.

It was his decision to bring in more children.

It was his responsibility.

“I-…I should’ve held him…” Itachi whispered with a troubled expression. “You were already holding Kimimaro and with his injuries…” He trailed off, shoulders hunching, making him appear smaller. 

Shisui shook his head. “Hey, none of that Tachi,” he whispered. 

“But he’s… he’s just a kid and I…”

Shisui hushed him up, drawing him into a hug. “Go back to the cottage with the kids, I’ll find him. Promise and then you can make it up to him, ne?”

Itachi exhaled deeply and he nodded, pulling back. 

“Stay safe.”

Shisui smiled faintly. 

“I’ll be home soon.”

He turned on his heel and took to the rooftops, watching as his cousin vanished in a flurry of leaves. Shisui took a deep breath and bit the skin of his thumb, drawing the summons seal on the ground. The thin smoke puffed and his dark summons materialized, small and full of intent. He gazed at his trusted crow beseechingly and in desperation, holding his fingers out.

The crow landed on his fingertips and he trailed his palm over her soft feathers. 

“Help me find my kid Karasu.”

Chapter Text

XIV

The small boy crouched on the ground, drawing his thin knees to his chest. He blew hot air into his hands and rubbed them together shakily. It was cold. Haku wiped his wet eyes and his small hands landed on the soft scarf, given to him by the older nin. His face scrunched up in sadness as he thought of the teen that became his family, his home. 

Haku hid his face on his knees and he whined pitifully. 

It hurt.

It hurt so much.

This was for the best. He didn’t want Shisui to die - to be hunted down because he couldn’t keep his powers in check. He wanted him to live a long and happy life. This was the only way. It was okay if he hurt, as long as Shisui did not hurt. The boy shivered from the cold, flinching at the occasional sound of a passing drunk civilian. 

He forgot how scary it was to be alone. 

Haku felt the hot tears trail down his cheeks.

He wanted his family.

He wanted his mother. 

He wanted Shisui.

He shook his head in dismay. He couldn’t be selfish. They were better off without him. The boy closed his eyes tiredly and he curled into a small ball on the icy grounds, eyelids growing heavy and fatigued. 

He slipped away into unconsciousness.

Itachi paced the space of their cottage repeatedly. He ran a hand through his hair, tugging on his ponytail in distress. It had been too long, far too long. Shisui was gone for hours. It was very late and there were no signs of his best friend and the lost child.

Haku.

He had a name. 

Itachi pressed his hands to his face and heaved a heavy sigh. He walked to the closed bedroom door and peaked inside. The children lay on the single bed, sharing body heat and sleeping. The teen stepped inside and pulled the blanket up on the sleeping boys, running a hand through his brother’s unruly hair. 

He checked Kimimaro’s temperature and he secured the blanket around his small body. He closed the door silently and continued pacing. He hadn’t meant to be dismissive of the other children. His priority was Sasuke and it would always be Sasuke. He would never put anyone before his brother, not even his best friend. 

Itachi frowned deeply.

He didn’t want to have to chose between his loved ones. He loved them both equally. His affections were deeply engrained in his soul and heart. He was scared to love more - loss was poignant and they were on the run. Haku and Kimimaro were odd variables. They would be disposed of if seen as barriers by Konoha. 

Itachi gritted his teeth at the thought.

The children would be disposed of or worse, drafted to serve a lying village that kills its own people in cold blood. He would never forgive the Leaf for betraying his best friend. He would wreck hell and massacre his clan bloody if they dared to touch what was his. 

Itachi stared off at the belongings tucked by the fireplace and his heart grew heavy. He walked over to the sketchbook, picking it up and flipping through the pages. He paused at the drawing of their family. Haku was a talented artist. Shisui had gotten him the sketchbook to help him express himself better. 

The boy was very quiet, hesitant and withdrawn (like he was afraid to ask for anything). As if a single request would make him unfavourable for the teens around him. It was heart-breaking. Children should be able to ask and be given things. Yet Haku held back, wringing his hands nervously. 

Itachi wasn’t blind. He saw the little boy eyeing the colourful stands of kimono. It wasn’t something he expected a boy to be enamoured by but likes were likes. There was no harm in indulging him.

Mind made up, he vowed to get him a gift once he returned.

The small bird flew around the empty streets, dark eyes surveying the scenery. It moved past groups of drunken civilians and late night travellers. She weaved the skies for a while, beady eyes searching. 

The crow circled the premises.

She landed in a decrepit alleyway, cawing in excitement.

There.

She found him.

The summons appeared before him in a dark flash. The teen stared at her in a hopeful expression. She cawed at him, taking off into the skies. Shisui rushed after her, shunshining at neck-breaking speed. He landed silently in a dark alleyway and his heart stuttered at the heart-breaking sight. 

His little boy lay curled up on the ground, in a tiny little ball, huddled and shivering behind bags of trash. Shisui ran forward and pressed a hand to Haku’s tiny wrist, letting out a pained noise at the faint pulse. He scooped up the boy, running his hands down his little arms, pressing soothing green chakra to his small body.

Haku made a small noise and his lashes fluttered. He burrowed into his chest and shivered. Lashes fluttered and Shisui stared into hazy brown eyes. He smiled shakily.

“Hey kiddo,” he whispered.

Haku’s eyes widened and he stared around him, small hands clinging to him. “You came,” he breathed in surprise.

As if he expected Shisui to move on and leave him behind. 

“Oh Haku, I’ll always come for you. Did you really think I’d leave you behind?”

The boy lowered his head and his eyes filled with tears. “But you have Kimimaro-kun and I’m bad, I did bad things a-and…” He hiccuped brokenly. “You’ll get hurt because of me a-and I c-can’t have th-that happen.”

Shisui felt his heart break at the words. Haku was the sweetest kindest kid he had the fortune of meeting. He had no doubt in his heart his actions were out of his control. Shisui hugged him tightly, holding him close. 

“I did bad things too Haku, lots and lots of bad things. But that doesn’t mean I’m not worth it or that I shouldn’t live a good life. People do things they regret and yes sometimes its not okay but we can’t live in the past. We have to move on and look towards building a happy future. You, Sasuke, Itachi, Kimimaro, you’re all my future.”

He cupped the boy’s cheeks with callused hands, looking into his disbelieving eyes. 

“You’re worth it,” he smiled softly. “Never doubt that, and I will always come for you.”

“Promise?” The boy whispered, clinging to him with small, shaking hands; his expression scared yet hopeful.

Shisui nodded, pressing their foreheads together. 

“I promise.”

Haku’s eyes opened sleepily and he turned on his side, burrowing into the warm bodies around him. Sasuke lay next to him, half-flopped on his body, smacking his lips and grumbling about baby tomatoes. 

Kimimaro lay unmoving, like a log, sleeping in a proper position like those princes in fairy tail books. His chest rose and fell in light breaths. Haku sat up slowly, smiling at the two boys who kept him company when he returned. Kimimaro stared at him with narrowed eyes and he silently crawled into the bed beside him.

Sasuke had wailed and cried, babbling about him turning into a snowman and he clung to him like a koala the entire night. Shisui and Itachi had left the children to their antics, slipping away and closing the door. 

Haku slipped out of bed and tiptoed out of the room. It was early in the morning and he was thirsty. Haku froze in his spot as he eyes landed on the only occupant of the cottage. Itachi sat at the rickety kitchen table, nursing a cup of tea and flipping through a small book. He lifted his head and gazed at him with a neutral gaze.

Haku wrung his hands nervously. Itachi didn’t like him. It was no secret. He didn’t approach him and he kept away from him, only giving Shisui and Sasuke the time of the day. Haku had barged into their little family and the older was not happy about it. 

“Hey,” Itachi spoke, lowering his cup.

He stood up and made his way over. Haku lowered his gaze, staring at the ground nervously.

“Ohaio-gozamasu Itachi-san,” he whispered. 

Haku felt a hand on his forehead and he blinked on confusion, staring up at Itachi. The teen pulled his hand away and he nodded to himself, standing up and going to the kitchen. He moved around swiftly, grabbing a bowl and setting it on the table.

“Come eat,” he ordered.

Haku nodded and slipped into his chair. He ate quietly listening to the sound of the paper turning. He finished his meal and thanked the teen, shuffling awkwardly in his chair. Itachi hummed quietly, eyes on the book. Haku stared desperately around the room, looking for a distraction. His art supplies lay on the ground and he asked permission to draw. Itachi nodded and Haku slipped away, losing himself to his sketches. 

Haku felt a light tap on his shoulder and he blinked in surprise. Itachi crouched next to him, holding out a box. 

“Ano…” Haku spoke unsurely.

Itachi set the box next to him. “Hn.”

He stood up and went back to making tea. Haku stared after him in confusion, eyeing the box in apprehension. He pulled off the ribbon gently, sliding off the lid. He gasped, staring at the content with wide eyes. He slapped his hands to his chubby cheeks and he let out a noise of joy. 

He picked up the soft material. The fabric was silky underneath his fingertips. The patterned flowers were stitched thoroughly and weaved in with intricate designs. He loved it! It was more beautiful than the one he saw on display. His eyes watered - It looked so expensive! - and he hugged the material to his chest, loving it. 

He stared at Itachi gratefully, acknowledging the meaning of his gift in happiness. He wasn’t hated. He was welcomed. Haku beamed brightly and he stood up hurriedly, eager to change and try on the beautiful kimono. 

Itachi watched the boy run into the bathroom with eager steps; small face bright with the happiest smile he’d seen yet. The teen’s dark eyes lit up in mirth and his lips quirked into a soft smile.

Chapter Text

Chapter 15

The small child made his way into the room, equipment in his hand. A serious expression adorned his chubby face and he walked ahead with purpose. The occupants of the room watched him and he heard them exchange whispers. Sasuke ignored the whispers and made his way to the boy on the couch. Haku sat on the couch, folding ribbons in his hands. He wore a colorful kimono with nice patterns. 

It made him look like a princess.

It was very pretty.

Sasuke climbed onto the frayed coach and cleared his throat like an old man on a mission. Haku lowered the ribbons and he smiled at him sweetly. Sasuke felt his serious expression break and he beamed back instinctively. It was hard not to smile when Haku smiled at him. Sasuke shook his head and resumed his serious expression. He lifted his equipment, sliding closer to his friend.

He put the stethoscope over his shoulder. “I need to listen to your heart,” he declared with an air of seriousness.

Haku tilted his head to the side and smiled unsurely. “Uhm…okay,” he said softly.

Sasuke nodded and pressed the stethoscope to his friend’s stomach. He frowned. He heard nothing. He glared at the device and pouted, turning to his brother for help.

“Nii-san! It’s broken!” He whined.

Shisui released a loud laugh, cackling with his whole body, kneeling forward and slapping his thighs. Sasuke whined at the display. He wanted to be a doctor. 

Stupid Shisui. Mean Shisui. Silly Shisui.

He was trying his best. 

Itachi walked over with soft eyes, kneeling down next to him. Sasuke frowned and he reached out his arms, wanting the comfort of his favorite person. 

“Shisui-san is being mean!” 

Shisui wiped his wet eye and his shoulders shook in glee. He skipped over with a wide grin and tugged at the stethoscope playfully. Sasuke glared at him, cheeks puffed up like an angry chipmunk. The teen playfully squeezed his cheek, ignoring Itachi’s warning gaze. 

“Where is the heart located my sweet little cousin?” Shisui asked with a smile.

Sasuke frowned and he turned to Haku who was watching the exchange with large curious eyes. 

The five year old frowned and he pointed to Shisui’s stomach.

“The tummy?” He guessed unsurely.

Shisui let out a wet cough, stepping back as Itachi swatted at him. He shook his head, curly locks falling into his playful eye. Sasuke pursed his lips and he looked to his brother for help. Itachi smiled softly and he tucked an unruly lock of hair behind his ear. He took his small hand in his hold gently and placed it over his chest. 

Sasuke’s eyes widened and he let out a surprised gasp. “But I sometimes hear noises in the tummy!” 

Shisui flushed and he ran a hand through his messy hair. “Uhm…that would be me because I didn’t eat yet. Err..” He paused, eye widening as Itachi turned to glare at him. “I forgot! Got side tracked, gonna go eat now!” He rushed away to the kitchen - stepping over a dosing Kimimaro. 

Pots and pans clanged as he reheated the food with a katon. 

Sasuke wiggled in his brother’s hold. He was lowered to the ground and he climbed back on the couch, hands reaching out to his friend. Haku obliged, lowering his ribbons a second time. He smiled patiently as Sasuke tried to locate his heart with a frown. The boy’s eyes lit up and he let out a gasp as he listened to the steady heartbeat.

It was a beautiful sound.

It was his favourite sound (officially).

Badum, badum, badum. 

Sasuke beamed brightly and turned to his brother. 

“Nii-san! I can hear it! It sounds so wonderful! Here, come here, let me check yours!” 

Itachi obliged and he crouched down, letting his little brother do as he pleased. Sasuke released an excited cry and he hopped off the couch, running to Shisui in excitement. The teen met him with a grin and he scooped him up.

“Sensei! Oh check my heart, I have problems! It hurts too much!” The teen declared dramatically, pinching his cheeks.

Sasuke swatted him away with a grumble and got to work. He checked his cousin’s heartbeat and declared him healthy. Shisui continued to hold him as he moved around the kitchen, heating the leftovers expertly, humming under his breath. Sasuke huffed and resigned himself to being held.

Shisui hummed softly as he packed their belongings in storage seals. Sounds filtered around him and there was a cacophony of noise. It gave him a sense of peace. His home back in the clan had been quiet, far too quiet. 

Silent. 

The silence had hurt at times. 

He was orphaned very young and lived alone for so many years.

Shisui let out a chuckle as Sasuke tripped over a book and landed in a pile of blankets with an omph. The sound of cutlery being sorted and dishes stacked filtered from the kitchen. Shisui turned his gaze to the open space of the cabin and he watched Itachi as the teen moved around the kitchen, packing their essentials. He heard a series of soft footsteps and watched as Haku rushed to pack his drawing books, taking extra care to put them in his tiny travel backpack.

Kimimaro sat up from his futon and stared around sleepily, letting out a soft grumble. He huffed with a sour expression and laid back down, falling back asleep. Shisui let out a soft chuckle and he continued packing his stuff, letting the sounds filter around him. He heard the soft voice of his cousin, ordering the kids to complete their tasks. 

Shisui stood up and made his way over to the small group. Itachi was crouched down on the ground with furrowed brows. The two boys stood in front of him, covering his actions. Shisui stared down curiously, eyeing the mess of tangled ribbons in his best friend’s hands. Itachi let out displeased ‘hns’ as he tugged at the fabric. 

Shisui smiled softly at the sight. Itachi stood up and he arched an eyebrow at him in question. 

“You’re making a strange face.” His cousin commented, glaring down at the ribbons in offense. 

Shisui chuckled and he stepped forward, grabbing a knot between his fingers. He began to unravel it with his best friend and he smiled down at him. 

“I’m just…” He exhaled. “...happy…” He confessed. 

Itachi’s lips quirked upwards in a faint smile. “Hn.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 16

The teen sat with his legs crossed, a closed book was held in his calloused hand, and a smile played on his lips. Uchiha Shisui stared at the three children sitting around  him. It was his duty to read a story to them every night - something he found crucial in one of the parenting books he bought in Water Country. He looked across the firing flames of their campsite to his cousin who sat on a tree branch, up high from the ground, keeping guard. 

They had left Water Country in the dead of the night, removing any tracks. Shisui was sure they would be fine for a while but Itachi was paranoid and quite careful. The teen turned his gaze to the children - Sasuke was watching a critter move across the grass with captive attention. Haku sat next to him, placing colorful beads on a thin string - his latest interest was in jewelry making. Kimimaro sat further away from the boys, staring into the fire with a gaze too heavy for a child. He was leaning against the boulder, wrapped in thick blankets. 

Shisui smiled as he eyed each child. They were all so distinct. He wondered what they would be like when they were older. Sasuke’s interests were in healing. He was a helpful soul who always had something kind to offer to other children. Whether it was sharing his precious tomatoes or offering a home and sharing the company of those he loved. 

Haku was burdened by a heavy weight - one he did not share - always hesitant to ask for things, enamored by all things pretty and very crafty with his hands. 

Kimimaro was quiet, very keen and observant, a boy of very little words, taking in every microscopic detail and moving with a sense of alertness. An alertness that made him appear as a hunter.

Shisui looked down at the book in his hands - deliberately chosen and he opened it to the first page, voice projecting clearly over to his small audience. He watched from his peripheral vision, gaze softening as he saw that all three were listening despite their attention being diverted elsewhere.

“Once upon a time, there were three boys, none of them were related, none of them shared the same mother or father but they all came together in hardship and loneliness and they learned a very valuable lesson.”

Shisui held the book open, showcasing an illustration of the first boy in the story. 

“The first boy did not trust anyone; he had a very dangerous father and he believed no one would love him for the blood he carried in his veins. He lived in hiding, never speaking of his parentage and past. He did not trust anyone with his secret.”

Haku stilled and he raised his small head, staring at the book with wide eyes. Shisui filed the information in his head and he continued reading.

“The second boy came from an important affluent family. He had many possessions but he was never happy. His mother expected too much of him. His father wanted him to do better everyday and the expectations he had to live up to were too high. Everyday was stifling and he struggled with the high expectations, feeling that he would never be good enough.”

Shisui smiled at Sasuke softly and the small boy smiled back instinctively.

“The third boy was left behind, forgotten by his own people, left to fend for himself on a small island. He took every day as a challenge and he appeared to be okay as he ventured the landscape but in truth he was very sad and alone. He had no one to call his own and no one called on him as theirs.”

Kimimaro’s brows furrowed and he tugged his blankets tighter, teal eyes turning to him. 

“The three boys met one day on the small island as they all ran away from their pains- each from a different life and with different stories. They decided to live in the forest, high up in the trees, away from everyone who wanted to hurt them. They made a house out of wood and beds out of straws and leaves. Day by day, they fought the monsters in the forest and one day they decided that they were no longer three strangers who came together in sadness. They became something much greater. They became brothers.”

“One night, the three boys snuck into the village and stole a bottle of sake from the mayor’s office. They went back to their tree house and pulled out old chipped cups. They each drank to one another and promised to be brothers forever even if they had different dreams, even if they went separate ways one day, they would always be family.”

Shisui lowered the book and smiled at the children. 

“Ne, Shisui-san, what’s sake?” Sasuke asked innocently, tilting his head curiously to the side.

Shisui chuckled. “It’s something you drink when you’re older.”

“Ano…” Haku began softly. “Can you truly become brothers with… with someone even if you don’t have the same mom?” His eyes were wide and hopeful.

Shisui grinned. “Of course kiddo, Itachi is my brother through and through and we have different mothers.”

Sasuke threw his arms up with a beam. “More brothers!” He squealed.

Shisui laughed and he stood up with a stretch. He clapped his hands and ordered the small children to the tent. He ignored the grumbling of his little cousin and watched the small boys crawl into the tent safely, for another night of sleep. 

Shisui turned his gaze to the book in his hands and he smiled softly at the illustration of three boys on the cover - each were different in appearance and yet they all stood together on the edge of the cliff, overlooking a wide expansive ocean, wide smiles on their young faces. 

He envisioned a hopeful future for his boys - one where they would rely on each other for friendship forged in longevity and trust.

He wanted Sasuke to grow up with the children he brought into their group. They were good kids that were dealt awful cards. He made his way past the tent, pausing as he heard the not-so-quiet whispers of his little cousin and he held back a snicker, listening to the boy discuss the likelihood of obtaining sake for brotherly vows. 

Itachi would end him if the children got their hands on hard liquor. He shook his head in amusement and shunshined to the trees, joining his cousin on his night’s watch.

The group traversed through an impoverished village, gaining entry at dawn. The teens moved through the streets quickly, herding the children to a cheap motel. Shisui exited with the intention to get more supplies. Itachi set the bags down and he pulled out the maps, his dark gaze landing on their destination. It was a long way to the sandy dunes of Wind Country.

It was quite far from Konoha and there was only one shinobi village hidden in the dunes. Itachi listened to the chatter of children and he voiced his disapproval of their request. Sasuke’s lips fell into a pouty frown and his shoulders slumped in sadness.

“Nii-san, we only want to go outside a bit. Please, please, there is a park and we want to play.”

Itachi shook his head. He had seen the park. It was empty and desolate. The children weren’t running around playing but walking aimlessly with sunken cheeks and haggard gazes. Itachi looked at his little brother with his chubby cheeks and well-cared clothes. His gaze landed on the other boys - they were both very skinny. The effects of malnourishment still plagued them. They were well dressed, in soft layers. Their appearance alone would get them targeted. 

No.” He spoke with finality, turning back to his maps.

He ignored the whines of his brother and turned back to his notes, scribbling down the safe spots they ventured into. It was important to keep track of the safe spaces they could occupy in the future. No place was permanent for them, at least not for a long long time. Permanency was dangerous when they were on the run. 

He couldn’t risk discovery. 

Itachi lowered his pencil, flexing his sore wrist. He sighed and closed his book. He frowned at the uncharacteristic silence in the room. He turned and froze at the sight of the room. He was missing three children. He cursed under his breath and took off into the streets, rushing to the park. 

They were not there.

Haku wrung his hands nervously as he rushed after Sasuke who made his way determinedly through the village. He looked around at the adults and vagrants occupying the streets and he swallowed nervously. Sasuke did not understand the danger of the area. Haku had seen plenty in his short life - Adults were not always good. He had been on the streets long enough to know when to steer clear of certain groups. 

“Matte!” He called after him as the boy rounded a corner, looking searchingly for the park they saw earlier. 

Kimimaro joined him silently, keeping an eye on the small boy rushing ahead. Haku smiled at him gratefully and the other boy looked away. The group of three turned a corner and they paused at the sight of adults huddling together in threadbare clothing. The men turned to them, eyeing them with dark eyes. 

Haku stiffened and he rushed to grab Sasuke’s hand, pulling him back. Kimimaro shifted beside him. Haku turned to him helplessly as the men walked forward, eyeing each of the boys in turn with calculative gazes. 

“Well hello there,” a man smiled.

Haku shivered. 

His expression was unkind and the alarm bells went off in his mind.

They needed to get away.

The man eyed their clothes and features calculatively. Haku bristled. Shisui and Itachi did not dress them uncaringly. They had prepared them for the cold and dressed them in soft and thick fabrics, covered with fur. Their footwear was new and their gloves and hats were thick and were dyed in rich colours. The boys looked cared for, taken care of. 

The man was soon joined by more of his group. 

“What are three children doing all alone without their parents, hmm? Are you lost? We can help you.”

Haku pulled Sasuke back to his side - the boy had fallen quiet, eyes wide and unsure. He gripped his hand tightly and the smaller boy responded by latching onto him. Kimimaro stepped forward, flanking Sasuke’s other side, expression blank of any emotion - teal eyes attentive. 

“We’re fine, thank you. We were just on our way.” Haku responded politely, smiling a small smile.

“Oh come on little girl, surely you’ll get lost and these are bad streets. Come with us and we will take you back to mom and dad.”

Haku shook his head. He took a step back and the men's eyes narrowed at the slight movement. He inched one more step, all three boys moving in a synchronized motion. The leader snarled, expression turning angry.

“Catch them!” He yelled.

The men lunged.

“RUN!” Haku yelled, dragging Sasuke with him.

The boy cried out, sniffling in fear as they were chased by a group of dangerous men. They weaved through the unfamiliar streets. The civilians watched their plight with vacant gazes, not doing anything to intercede. Haku gazed around helplessly as they ran. They had walked too far. He didn’t know where they were or how far the motel was. He felt his eyes well up in frustration. He should’ve stopped Sasuke as he snuck out of the motel. He hoped he didn't run them into a dead end. 

Kimimaro grabbed his wrist abruptly and tugged him away from the streets, into the entrance of the woods. Haku’s eyes widened and Kimimaro urged him ahead silently with a sense of urgency, dragging Sasuke with them. The woods were further away from the teens and the motel. They would be secluded, alone with the terrifying homeless villagers.

The group ran into the woods. Haku heard a yelp and he turned in fright, watching Sasuke tumble on a loose branch. The boy fell down harshly and he cried out in pain. The older boys stopped, turning to him hurriedly. They helped him up and paused as the men broke through the foliage, inching towards them with mocking laughter.

Haku pushed Sasuke behind him and the boy made a small noise of fear as his back hit a large tree. Haku looked around him helplessly. They were trapped. He spread his arms wide, shielding the youngest with his body. They wouldn’t touch a hair on Sasuke’s head. He wouldn’t let them near him. Haku felt his anger grow. Sasuke had offered him a hand and a beaming smile - warning him of the cold and his fear of him turning into a snowman. Sasuke had welcomed him into his family and shared everything with him selflessly. 

He had saved him. 

He would protect him with every fiber in his being. 

Haku took a deep breath, feeling the cold respond to him. His fingers trembled and the fear seized his heart. He glared ahead angrily and willed his ice to manifest. The boy stopped abruptly as Kimimaro strolled from his spot next to Sasuke. He walked in front of him, hands held at his side in a casual display. 

The boy who hadn’t spoken a word since he had given his name looked at the two boys behind him with hard teal eyes and he vocalized a command in a hoarse raspy voice.

“Close your eyes.”

Chapter Text

XVII

The six year old was raised as a lethal weapon since the manifestation of his abilities. The Kaguya Clan were known for their viciousness. Their clan was governed by the rule of eat or be eaten. Kimimaro had spent his short life cutting the lives of other people short, mowing down his enemies with his powerful kekkei genkai. He did not enjoy killing but it was efficient. He was raised as a weapon, only released from his cage to follow orders: destroy the threat. 

Kimimaro had never done things outside his mission perimeter. He eliminated the threats with efficiency. He never did extra work or less than he was assigned. The small group ran into the woods and were soon surrounded on all sides. 

The six year old stood silently, teal eyes taking in the number of hostile men. 

They were civilians, hardly a threat for someone of his caliber. 

He watched the scene unfold. 

The men laughed at their plight mockingly. The smallest of their party stepped back, shaking in terror and his back hit the tree. He let out a small whimper of fear, dark eyes wide and wet. The other boy - Haku - stood in front of their youngest, arms outstretched protectively. Kimimaro had seen that stance before on a mission. His opponent had been the chief of a small village, close to their establishments. His children had taken the same stance as his platoon charged forward.

Haku was ready to go down for the youngest boy. His thin body was shivering in fear but he remained rooted to his spot. 

Kimimaro watched the exchange. 

He did not have any mission orders. The youngest had snuck out stubbornly despite his older brother’s disapproval and Haku had chased after him. Kimimaro went after them to watch them closely. 

They intrigued him (the entire group did - teens and children included). 

He didn’t hate their company. He did not mind them. Strangely, he didn’t want them to die. He wanted to watch them longer - to understand them all better. He knew the teenagers who took him would be devastated at the loss of the youngest boy. 

Kimimaro eyed the small boy and he clenched his fists. He was injured from the battles against his clan. He didn’t want to push his body too far. He was still recovering. He moved away from the tree and strolled forward casually. He looked over his shoulder, eyes falling on the two boys. 

He knew the youngest was coddled, never one to be hurt or get hurt. 

The sight of his kekkei genkai would be too much for him.

He ordered the pair briskly, eyes hard, as he turned back to the civilians with an unforgiving air.

“Close your eyes.”

Haku heard the hoarse command and he rushed behind him, throwing his arms around Sasuke’s body, holding his small head to chest. The boy whimpered and clung to him, small hands fisting into his shirt. Haku turned back to watch the silver-haired boy worriedly. Kimimaro glanced behind him and nodded in approval - shielding Sasuke from the ugliness of the world would always be their priority. 

Haku’s eyes widened as Kimimaro took a practiced stance. The veneer of the innocent child fell back and he snapped his hand upward in a fast motion, bones growing out of his frail wrist. Sharp and elongated. The men gawked at the unnatural sight and the kid bent his knees before he lunged forward in a swift move. 

Haku stared at the scene with wide eyes as Kimimaro stabbed the leader right in the jugular, bone ripping the skin easily. The man gurgled, face frozen in shock. His companions screamed and backed away - another fell to the ground and watched the dying man in horror. 

Kimimaro landed on his feet and swung his foot out, slamming his heel into another man's temple. He dived in between another’s legs and sliced at his tendons viciously. He made quick work of the vagrants, ripping through their muscle and bone. 

Silence fell on the clearing. 

The boy’s weapon retreated into his skin and he turned to him with a wary expression. He remained away from them, standing near the carnage, as if he was unsure of his place back in their folds. 

Haku eyed the dead bodies and he shook his head minutely. He made no judgments. He had intended to do the same. He intended to command large pillars of ice to skewer all the men to keep Sasuke safe. The boy gave his friend a watery smile and outstretched his small hand out forward.

Kimimaro stared at the outstretched hand in confusion. 

Haku smiled a small trembling smile encouragingly and wiggled his small fingers.

The boy reached out unsurely and clasped his fingers lightly. Haku curled his hand tightly and tugged the six year old towards him. He looked intently at the other child, his other arm holding Sasuke tightly in his hold.

“Thank you,” he whispered. 

Kimimaro nodded with a tight expression. His eyes lingered on Sasuke who remained hidden, crying quietly. He turned back to the massacre and he inclined his head out of the woods. Haku’s eyes flooded with understanding and he nodded. The pair moved slowly, ensuring the smallest never saw the bodies. 

They took two steps out of the woods and froze in alarm. 

Shisui stood in front of them with an unhappy expression - Itachi stood next to him staring at their group with an unreadable expression. The younger teen rushed forward and picked up his little brother, folding the small boy in his arms, murmuring to him softly. 

Shisui stared down at the two boys, eyes lingering on Kimimaro’s form. He turned his gaze back to the woods, where the bodies could be seen laying in unmoving piles. 

Haku felt Kimimaro stiffen and he held on tight to his hand, pressing his shoulder to his bony one in solidarity. He didn’t know how Shisui would react to Kimimaro’s abilities. Kimimaro looked unsure and despondent, as if he knew he would be left behind. Or punished for hiding the truth. Haku didn’t want him to leave - the boy protected him. He couldn’t bear it. 

Kimimaro was his friend.

If he was to be left behind, he wouldn’t let him be left alone.

Shisui’s expression hardened and he opened his mouth-

“I have a kekkei genkai!” Haku blurted.

Shisui whipped his head and stared down at him. 

Haku felt his heart hammer in his chest and he stared ahead with wide terrified eyes. He was about to lose everything . His hands shook and he pulled strength from Kimimaro’s grip. 

Shisui stared at the two boys, single eye moving quickly from one to another. He ran a hand over his face and sighed heavily. His stern expression broke and he stepped forward, kneeling down in front of the boys. 

Shisui smiled softly and he pulled them both into his arms. 

The boys stiffened, unsure.

“I’m glad you’re both safe.” The teen whispered. “You were both very brave.”

Haku felt his eyes water at the palpable relief in the teen’s voice and he clung to him, tears falling from his eyes. 

When his mother had found out about his kekkei genkai, she had slapped him across the face and sent him tumbling in the snow. She had stared at him in horror, eyes wide and face ashen. When his father had found out about his kekkei genkai, he had killed his mother for harboring the secret and he came after him with the villagers to kill him, his own son and little boy.

The teen tightened his hold, hugging them both securely in his arms. 

Shisui cared less about their abilities and more about their safety and well-being. 

He accepted them.

Haku trembled in his arms and he began to cry.

Chapter Text

XIX

Shisui pulled back from the embrace. His shoulder was soaked from the child’s tears. He patted the boy gently on the cheek and stood up with a reassuring smile. He clapped his hands, addressing the gathered group. 

“This calls for a family meeting.” He spoke with a stern voice. “No one is in trouble, we just have to talk things over.”

Itachi pursed his lips. He settled a hand against his brother’s small head. His dark eyes lingered on the two boys and he looked towards the woods. He nodded and turned on his heel, making his way back to the motel. Shisui turned to the quiet two boys, offering his hand. Haku took it immediately, giving him a watery smile. He smiled at Kimimaro who narrowed his eyes at his outstretched hand. 

Shisui chuckled and lowered it, watching in amusement as Haku grabbed the boy’s hand, tugging him along. The boys fell into step next to him and they followed Itachi back to the motel. Itachi set his little brother on the bed and stood in front of him, arms crossed. Shisui joined and settled the kids next to Sasuke. The little boy sniffled and latched onto Haku’s side, burrowing into him for comfort.

“Leaving when I specifically told you not. You have disappointed me otouto.” Itachi drawled in a low tone.

Sasuke winced and he wilted, making his already tiny body smaller. 

Shisui stepped forward, staring down at the three boys.

“Boys, when we give you instructions, we don’t do it to control you. We do it because it's best for you. Itachi told you to stay inside not because he was being insensitive to your boredom but because it wasn't safe outside.”

“I… I’m s-sorry,” Sasuke whispered. 

Shisui pursed his lips. “Not only did you go out, Sasuke but your friends also followed you to make sure you’re safe. You endangered not only yourself but the boys as well. What if Kimimaro wasn’t ready for the threat? What if we didn’t arrive when we did? They could have been hurt really badly.”

Sasuke began crying again. 

“Kimimaro had to fight off the threat even though he was injured. He needs to rest.”

“S-sorry, s-sorry, I’m r-really sorry.” 

The boy continued crying, rubbing his eyes frantically as the tears continued falling. Shisui sighed and exchanged looks with his cousin. He gave him a nod and the younger teen stepped forward, picking his crying brother up in his arms. He sat on the bed adjacent and settled the boy against his chest.

“P-please d-don’t h-hate me,” the boy cried. “I d-don’t w-want anyone to g-get hurt. Ever.”

Shisui sighed and he kneeled in front of the crying boy. 

“Oh Sasuke, we don't hate you. We love you and that’s why we’re reprimanding you. We want you to understand. It’s dangerous outside and unprepared you can get hurt really badly and Itachi and I will never forgive ourselves if you get hurt, if any of you get hurt. It’s our job to protect you but we can’t do that if you run away or hide from us.”

Sasuke nodded, clinging to his brother’s chest. Little hiccups broke past his lips and his small body shook. He quieted down and began dozing off from exhaustion. Shisui smiled softly at the sight and he turned to the two boys. 

He had ran into Itachi in the marketplace and they had rushed to locate the boys using their summons. They had arrived at the scene to see Kimimaro take down the last man, killing him in one blow.

Shisui turned his gaze to Haku, watching as he squirmed in his seat under the attention. He refused to let go of Kimimaro’s hand, stubbornly holding onto him in a show of solidarity - I have a kekkei genkai! - Shisui pursed his lips in thought. He picked up not one child with abilities but two. There was also Sasuke who was an Uchiha and with the ability to manifest the sharingan.

Oh boy.

His hands were going to be full. 

Shisui knelt down in front of the brave boy who outed himself for his friend. He smiled softly and tucked a loose brown strand of hair behind his ear gently.

“Haku, what kind of kekkei genkai do you have?” 

“It’s… it’s…the Hyōton…”

Ice.

Shisui’s eye widened. Ice releases were rare. He thought they had all died out in the purge in Water Country. 

“Did you get any training?” He asked softly.

Haku shook his head. 

Shisui hummed at the response. Leaving a kekkei genkai unchecked without any training was dangerous. It would lead to a lack of control. Shisui frowned at the thought. He didn’t want to raise the boys as shinobi but he couldn’t leave them without any training. They had chakra. They were not civilians. He would have to train them slowly and carefully, enough that they could protect themselves against threats.

His gaze lingered on his sleeping cousin. Sasuke could have been significantly injured today - or taken - The thought of losing him or any of the boys to outside forces sent ripples of anger through his veins. 

Shisui took a deep breath and focused on the children. He was too complacent. He needed to think towards the future. He wanted his kids to be happy and safe. He wanted them to live long and fruitful lives. The world they inhabited was fraught with danger and they needed to be prepared. 

They needed to grow strong. 

He needed to train them.

The teen stared in dismay at his cousin. Itachi arched an eloquent eyebrow in silent curiosity. Shisui stuck his tongue out childishly and he turned to the boys, kneeling down in front of them.

“Leaving a kekkei genkei unchecked is dangerous. So we will start training you slowly.”

Haku shook his head, his eyes wide in fear. “No!” He protested. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Shisui smiled softly. “I promise I won’t. I’m much stronger than I look.”

Haku gazed at him unsurely, lips pouting. Shisui tapped his nose gently. 

“Trust me.”

Haku gazed at him unflinchingly with wide brown eyes. 

“I do.”

Papers lay messily on the table. The sound of writing filled the space as the teen sat occupied in the late hours of night. He squinted at his writing and eyed the parenting books stacked to the side. His eye flicked to the current chapter and he sighed heavily. His gaze trailed to where the children lay, sharing a bed, sleeping in a close huddle, looking soft and innocent under the covers of blankets. 

Shisui smiled softly at the endearing sight and he turned back to his books. The door creaked open and his best friend walked in, with a steaming cup of tea. He accepted the cup with a grateful nod and he waved a hand at the numerous texts.

“I don’t want to mess this up,” he whispered softly, expression anxious.

Itachi stared down at the books and he shook his head. 

“You won’t.” He spoke firmly.

Itachi’s words sounded like a promise, not a flimsy reassurance but a deep belief in his abilities. Shisui turned back to his notes, where he began hatching a training program fit for very different children. The boys couldn’t be any more different - an Uchiha child with dreams of healing, a boy with the legacy of the Hyōton and a mysterious child with war in his eyes and blood on his hands.

Caring and rearing all three boys was a monumental task. 

He was barely keeping afloat. 

He was terrified of messing his children up. 

He did not want to turn them into soldiers. He wanted them to live peaceful lives. And yet he had found children with rare kekkei genkai. To leave them untrained and vulnerable to anyone’s manipulations was not an option.  He was not ready to be a parent but he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he abandoned any of his boys. It simply wasn’t an option. He would try his hardest for them. 

Shisui turned back to his sleeping boys and he solidified his resolve. 

Parenting and taking care of children was not a linear path - it was full of ups and downs - and it wasn’t short-lived.

It was a lifelong commitment to love.

Shisui smiled wryly at the thought. 

If there was something Uchihas were notorious for, it was their ability to love strongly and fiercely. He chuckled at the thought and turned back to his papers with renewed vigor. He would create the most suitable training regime for his kids so they would never hide in fear and cower from threats. He would raise them to stand tall and encourage them to pursue their dreams (whatever they may be).

He would love them until his dying breath.

He would love them as an Uchiha.   

Chapter Text

XIX

The group left Lightening Country behind without a backward glance. Shisui raised a hand against the sunny skies and he turned to his company with a smile. He nodded to Itachi, communicating silently. Years of friendship between them granted them the ability to speak with gestures and eye contact. The teen crouched down to the children, beckoning them closer. He pointed at an expansive field of flowers, sole eye bright and expression playful.

“Why don’t you boys go play in the fields while we set up camp?”

Sasuke looked towards his brother hesitantly. He had grown more hesitant after the incident, scared to disappoint his nii-san. Itachi poked him in the forehead and gently pushed him towards the field. The small boy beamed and ran ahead with an excited squeal. Shisui laughed and watched as Kimimaro followed at a more subdued rate, walking slowly and plopping right in the center of the field for sunlight. 

He was like a cat soaking under the warm rays of the sun. 

Shisui turned to Haku who smiled at him. 

“I want to help,” Haku offered in a soft voice.

Shisui frowned.  

“Are you sure you don’t want to play with your friends?”

Haku looked towards the field with an expression of longing. He looked back to where Itachi began setting up the camp and his small face grew determined. 

“I want to help first.”

Shisui smiled. He ruffled the kid’s soft hair and stood up, urging the boy to grab small pieces of wood for the camp fire. They were in neutral territory, a few days away from Earth Country. The weather would soon turn sweltering as they neared the borders. Shisui watched the boy pick up sticks and pile them neatly in the center of the camp. He smiled at the sight. Haku always liked to offer help, of any sort, always eager to make himself useful.

Shisui’s smile dropped at the thought. There was a lot to unpack there. Haku didn’t have the childish carefree disposition of Sasuke. He was too careful, always trying to carry his weight. The teen grew more troubled at the thought. Children should not have to carry their weight. They were children for a reason. They were meant to play around and enjoy themselves; not try to prove their usefulness to those around them. Shisui watched the little boy with a determined expression. 

He would have to break the little boy’s bad habits. He needed to have some fun. 

The teen made his way over to the occupied boy and plucked him off the ground. 

Haku let out a startled gasp and he dropped his armful of small wooden sticks. 

“Shisui-san!” He gasped, wiggling in his holds, looking down at the messy pile in dismay.

“Nuh-uh, it’s mandatory playtime!” The teen chirped as he threw the wiggling boy over his shoulder.

Shisui sunshined in a flash, appearing next to a startled Sasuke. The boy held flowers in his hands and he let out a startled cry at his abrupt appearance, falling on his behind. Shisui grinned playfully, falling down dramatically next to the little boy. He eyed the pile of flowers, gaze falling to the dosing Kimimaro. He tapped his ankle lightly, watching as the boy flicked an eye open, staring at him with a narrowed gaze.

“Mandatory playtime! Up, up!”

Kimimaro stared.

Shisui tapped his ankle again, smile in place and he arched a dark eyebrow. The kid rolled away from him with the full blown attitude of a six year old. Sasuke gasped in shock and Shisui suppressed a laugh at the blatant rejection. The teen turned to the more willing children with a grin. 

“So…flowers huh?” He asked playfully.

Sasuke pouted and grabbed his pile, frowning deeper in dismay as a bunch fell out of his tiny hands. 

Haku smiled and leaned forward.

“Pretty,” he cooed at the flowers.

“I’m trying to make a crown for nii-san!” Sasuke declared with a mulish look. “But…” The boy deflated. “It’s… not… n-not working!”

Oh.

He was growing upset.

Eyes growing moist in frustration and bottom-lip quivering.

Shisui inhaled deeply. It would be very inappropriate for him to coo at the cuteness of his little cousin when he was very upset. Now was not the time. Shisui stared down at the flowers helplessly. He had not the first clue on how to make a flower crown. The teen wracked his brain for an alternative. He paused as he watched Haku move towards Sasuke, taking his little hands in his own, removing the broken flowers gently from his grip.

“I know how; I’ll show you.” The boy assured kindly. 

Sasuke’s eyes widened and he crawled towards his friend, bouncing on the spot excitedly. 

“Really really?”

Haku smiled and nodded. He plucked fresh, long stemmed flowers from the ground and began weaving them together. He spoke slowly, movements careful and pausing occasionally to ensure his audience was following along. Shisui flared his sharingan, memorizing the movements and he found himself recording the entire scene. 

Opps. 

He turned off his dojutsu as Haku looked up towards him. He smiled proudly at the boy who ducked his head shyly. The boys began picking flowers and they sat in the circle, creating flower crowns for the unsuspecting members of their group. 

Shisui crept quietly towards the unsuspecting Kimimaro and slipped a flower crown on his head. He held his finger up to his lips and the children stifled their giggles. The smell of spices filtered through the clearing signifying the start of dinner. The teen picked up the sleeping boy, tucking his head in his shoulder and he beckoned the boys back to the camp. 

Shisui bit back a snicker as Sasuke presented Itachi with a messy flower crown made of weeds and crushed dandelions. Itachi stared at the flower crown, gaze moving from the plant to his brother’s expectant face. He took it gently off him and hesitantly placed it on his head. Shisui bit back a laugh as Sasuke squealed and began gushing about how pretty his nii-san was while Haku nodded along seriously. 

Itachi glared at him through it all, daring him to say a word. Shisui stuck out his tongue childishly. Haku came over and shyly presented Shisui with a beautiful crown of dandelions.  The teen knelt down on one knee, bending his head and accepting his crowning with a soft smile. The sun set and the group sat together, each wearing a flower crown and listening to the soft chatter of children. 

Chapter Text

XX.

The wind blew coldly through the vast landscape. The teen grabbed the large rock and lowered it on the edge of the tent, securing it in place. He eyed the structure with a concerned frown. He did not want it collapsing at night while the children slept. Shisui looked over at the children who sat at the edge of their campsite, playing with the rocks. His lips quirked upwards in a fond smile and he made his way over. 

“-this here is the dragon’s lair and this here will be… mmm… the medical room- and here is the tower…”

Shisui stared down at the makeshift structure, made of stones, sticks and piles of dirt. Sasuke held a leaf in his tiny hand, pressing it to a pile of stone. He smiled at the structure and he lifted his head, eyes brightening as he saw his approach.

“Shisui-san! Come come, look look!” 

Shisui knelt down and grabbed the closest child, hugging them close. His latest victim was Haku who made a slight noise of surprise. The stick in his hand slipped in surprise. 

“We made our future home. Look look, nii-san is trapped in the tower and you can save him!” Sasuke gushed excitedly, eyes sparkling as he pointed at the tower of rocks.

Shisui rested his chin on the child’s soft hair and he frowned. “Why does Tachi need saving?”

Sasuke frowned at him like he asked a silly question. Shisui smiled sheepishly. He was very confused. Itachi was terrifying and strong. He hardly ever needed saving. In fact, it was the other way around. Others needed saving from Itachi when he was on the war-path. 

“Because nii-san is the prettiest. Duh!”

Shisui chuckled. “No no no,” he teased, shaking his head. “Haku is prettiest.”

The small child gasped in shock. “No no no.” He shook his head, small hands pushing his chest as Sasuke gaped at him in disbelief, looking at his older friend in betrayal. 

His small face grew pinched and he stared hard at the leaves. He nodded to himself, placing another leaf with his brother’s leaf.

“Haku is pretty,” he grumbled in annoyance. “There, now Nii-san and Haku are both in the tower. You can rescue them both!”

“Where is Kimi?” Shisui asked with a smile, eye falling on the napping child.

Kimimaro opened an eye, glanced at him, and went back to sleep. Rude . Sasuke pointed at a long winding stick that wrapped around the structure.

“Kimi is the dragon because he is strong.” He explained in a serious tone. 

“Ah.” Shisui nodded. “It all makes perfect sense now. But where are you, little cousin?”

Sasuke beamed at him brightly. He pointed to a pile of rocks. “I am in the medical room. I am the good doctor that helps the pretty princesses and… and the dragon… and… the hero…” He tilted his head to the side, nodding sagely. “Hmm I will help everyone… yes yes… a good doctor helps everyone.”

Shisui bit back a laugh, listening to the children narrate their tale of heroics. He glanced at the trees where his cousin left to forage for more supplies. He could not wait to share his findings with him. The fearful Uchiha Itachi was reduced to a damsel in distress that needed saving. 

The sun sank in the horizon and Shisui began to worry as his cousin did not return to their camp.

Itachi was late.

The attack came suddenly. 

It was late at night and his best friend did not return. His delay made alarm bells go off in his head. Shisui was unable to go search for him. The pair agreed if one of them did not return, the other must continue on without the other. They agreed upon it to keep the children safe. 

Shisui stared at the dark sky and made up his mind. He had to move on. His cousin would catch up. Itachi knew their next destination point. He would show up. He was sure of it. 

Shisui woke the children up - heart in his throat - and he ignored his little cousin’s questions - Where is my brother? - He pushed the children to pack, urging them to keep quiet. The boys fell silent, unnerved by his request and concerned gaze.

The little group packed all their belongings and began moving. Shisui removed all traces of their campsite. He carried Kimimaro, keeping an eye on Sasuke and Haku who held hands and spoke in quiet whispers. It was a split second feeling - a brush of a warning in the air - and the nin immediately ducked, shunshining to the children. He grabbed the boys in his arms and moved away from the threat. 

He turned and in his vacated spot was a slew of kunai blades. 

Shisui turned to the dark woods and glared up at the trees. The assailants came out of the shadows, armed and ready to engage. His sole eye widened at the sight, swallowing thickly in apprehension.

ROOT operatives surrounded him from all sides. 

The small child stared up at the nin that surrounded them and he let out a scared whimper. His cousin’s arms tightened around him. A kunai blade slipped in Shisui’s hands and he cursed under his breath. The opponents were many. The nin wore white masks and black robes. The shinobi surveyed their group in silence, circling around them like predators stalking their prey. 

A tall man stepped forward, staring at them in silence. His gaze lingered. 

“Uchiha Shisui lives.” He intoned.

His voice sounded like judgment, like it was an error that needed to be corrected. The thought scared the little boy greatly. He feared for his cousin as the nin drew closer, masks turned to the eldest Uchiha. 

“Where is Itachi?” Shisui hissed angrily. “What have you done?”

Sasuke never heard his cousin speak that way before. It scared him. Everything in that moment scared him. He wanted his brother. Where was nii-san? 

Sasuke felt his eyes water in fear. His nii-san did not return. He went to gather more supplies from the merchant village and he did not return. A nin charged forward - fast and with his sword raised. Sasuke let out a scared gasp as the clang of blades drifted above his head. He closed his eyes in fear and he whined as Kimimaro began to struggle in Shisui’s hold. The teen grunted, blocking hits and moving fast.

Sasuke felt like vomiting. 

Kimimaro fell to the ground and he landed in a crouch. He took off running, moving towards a masked figure. Sasuke felt hands on his face and he couldn’t see. He felt soft hair tickle his face and he knew it was his closest friend. Sasuke gripped him tightly and he felt someone lower him to the ground - I’ll keep him safe - It was Haku’s voice. Shisui relayed another order and his footsteps grew silent.

Sasuke opened his eyes in fear. Everything was happening quickly. He watched Shisui move in a blur, disappear and reappear at random, blade clanging with his opponents. Kimimaro moved fast, keeping to the ground as he attacked his enemies from a low vantage point. Sasuke watched in awe as Haku moved in front of him, hands outstretched, and a wall of ice formed in front of the pair. The knives clattered to the ground against the ice. Sasuke looked up in fear and his eyes widened at the shinobi diving in through the open space.

“Ha-” the words died on his lips as the older boy turned, pushing him out of the way. 

A gasp slipped past his friend’s lips as the blade caught his small body, tearing through his clothes and skin. Sasuke blanched at the sight and the man drew closer to him. Sasuke watched with wide eyes as he lifted his blade, ready to deliver his final blow.  The ice erupted suddenly. A large pillar pierced through the shinobi and his body hung above him suspended, bleeding and choking on his breath. 

Sasuke gagged at the sight and he hurried to his friend’s side. Haku lay on the ground, body shaking as the blood flowed around him. It was creating a large puddle. The small boy gripped his friend with shaking hands. His hands grew moist and he stared at his painted hands.

Red greeted him.

Sasuke screamed at the sight and he felt his eyes burn.

Chapter Text

XXI.

The pain erupted from his eyes, sudden and hot. Sasuke reeled forward with a pained scream. It hurt so much. He gripped his head, lowering his face to the ground. He tugged on his hair, teeth grinding against the pain. He felt his eyes water and the burning sensation spread. 

He heard shouts around him and he felt a shaking hand touch him. He began to cry from the pain and he pressed his small hands to his eyelids. They quivered beneath his touch as the tears continued to spill. 

It hurt terribly. 

Sasuke heard a choked plea - STOP - and he felt sudden pain explode in his side. The ground disappeared beneath his feet and he felt his body sail in the air, impacting on a hand surface. The air escaped his lips as he slammed into a hard structure. A scrunch sounded and the pain erupted from all his senses. He let out a pained whimper, choking on the sudden blood in his mouth and he toppled forward. 

He crumpled to the ground like a broken doll. 

Everything was spinning. 

The sheathing of a sword was heard above his dormant body. A surprised grunt was followed by a wet gurgling sound. He heard a loud thud and felt a hand on his trembling body. 

It was warm.

“No.” He heard a soft whisper.

The voice was familiar. It was filled with sadness. The voice made him feel safe and warm. It sounded like family and love. It sounded like home. He felt his dizziness increase. Shivers wracked his body and he felt cold. So cold. Why was it so cold? Sasuke opened his blurry eyes and he stared up at the pale face and dark hair. 

“C-cold.” He whispered.

He did not like the cold.

Sasuke turned his head, whimpering as he saw the blood in the grass. Why did it hurt so much? Oh. It was his blood. That was not good. Blood was supposed to remain in the body, not outside of it. He blinked at the blurry figure - he seemed so familiar. He reached a small hand forward. 

A larger hand held his gently and the figure moved in - the sound of the battle continued. He heard a shaky inhale as the figure pulled him close. Sasuke gazed up, frowning at the sight of his older brother’s tears. 

“Nii-san?” 

Itachi’s tears were red. 

Sasuke felt the dark spots fill his vision and he receded into the darkness.

Itachi was late.

He was always too late.

Why was he always too late? (He was late for Shisui. He was hurt terribly because he was late). 

Ambushed and alone, it took him too long to dispose of all his opponents. Root nin were dangerous and he refused to leave behind a single survivor. Itachi rushed back to the camp to find his family gone. He began his search desperately, looking for signs. 

He made it back too late. The sight that greeted him would cause him nightmares for years to come. Shisui was engaged in a vicious battle, seven against one. The silver haired boy backed him up from the ground. 

Itachi looked around desperately. He could not see his little brother. No, no, no. Anything but Sasuke. Sasuke was his entire world. Itachi ran into the fight and took down a Root operative, slamming a kunai blade into their neck. His entire body froze as he heard the loud scream - one that sounded young and pained. 

Sasuke!

He ran towards the sound. 

Where are you little brother?

He had never moved so fast in his life. He appeared in a flash, watching in horror as his brother’s body slammed into a thick tree trunk, choked gasp echoing in the forest. He heard the crunch of bones. The little boy fell to the ground and he watched in horror as a shinobi drew his sword. 

Itachi disappeared in a flash and appeared in a breath, sword stabbing through the man cleanly. He choked on his blood and landed in a dead heap. Itachi slumped on his knees to his little brother’s body. His eyes widened in shock and the despair choked him.

He turned his brother on his back, eyeing the gash in his side. 

He was stabbed. 

His arm was broken. 

It was too many injuries for a young boy to handle. 

“No.” He whispered.

The blood continued to spill and Itachi hurriedly pressed his shaking hands to his brother’s bleeding side. His hands flowed green but the blood would not stop. His breath hitched and he choked on his cries. Sasuke stared up at him, blurry and confused. 

“C-cold.” The little boy whispered. 

He frowned up at him - eyes sharingan red. Itachi blanched at the sight. What did his brother see? He felt his eyes grow hot at the sight. His eyes roved his brother’s tiny body. 

Hurt, hurt, hurt . 

He felt the body beneath his hands grow colder. 

His brother was dying. 

Itachi felt his heart break in realization as Sasuke made a small choking sound. Itachi felt his eyes burn hotly as his brother’s life slipped between his fingertips. The pain in his eyes was tremendous. He didn't care for it. Nothing mattered except for his otouto. His eyes were only on his little brother. 

Itachi shook his head desperately as the tears fell. They were hot against his skin. His brother reached a shaking hand forward - small and shivering as he clasped his fingers in his hold with a confused frown as he gazed up at him. 

“Nii-san?”

Sasuke’s eyelids fluttered closed and he fell silent.

Chapter Text

XXII

“-chi!”

“-tachi!”

“-Itachi!”

The teen stared up at the sound, blinking into awareness slowly. Someone was calling his name. He had blanked out. Mind growing silent and static. His entire world had shifted. Why? Itachi stared at his best friend who stood over him, carrying an unmoving child in his arms. The boy was familiar, pale skin and long brown hair. 

Who was he? 

“Itachi!”

Itachi blinked at his cousin who landed next to him on his knees. Tear tracks covered his face. Shisui was crying. Why? He had never seen him cry before - even with all the pain and betrayal. It felt wrong. Who made Shisui cry? The older teen looked at his face and he took a shaky breath, pushing the unmoving kid in his arms.

Itachi blinked down at the child. His cousin pushed him away, hands urgent but gentle. 

“He’s not dead.” Shisui whispered, pushing him away. “Not yet.”

Who? 

Itachi stared down at the child in his arms. He was breathing - in pain with a contorted face. A smaller kid stepped forward with bandages. His face was pinched and his hands shook as he wrapped them around the boy's arm. Itachi watched it all happen. 

Shisui moved behind him.

“He’s not dead.” He repeated. “He’s not dead.”

Itachi stared down at the little boy. He knew that. Why did Shisui feel the need to repeat the obvious? His mind felt heavy and sluggish. Why was he here? Who were these children? He stared down at the little boy applying first aid. The child stared up at him, teal gaze meeting his dark one.

“I hate this world.” The boy whispered.

Itachi stared at him. 

The boy turned back to the kid in his arms.   He looked familiar. Which clan was he from? Itachi looked around. He was outside the village. He hadn’t been on a mission in weeks. Clan business kept him local. He lowered the boy from his arms, setting him on the ground. His hand lit up in chakra green and they rested gently on the boy's shoulder. 

“Shisui, are we on a mission?” He questioned.

His cousin froze, turning to him. His face went through a myriad of expressions. The teen shook his head and turned away. Itachi frowned. It was all very confusing. He blinked his raw eyes and wiped his cheeks. He blinked at the sight of the blood on his hands. His eyes continued to burn and the tears continued to fall. 

He was crying. 

Why?

Shisui stared down at the little boy beneath his hands and he pumped his chakra forth, breathing unsteadily. The image of his little cousin, lying on the ground in his own blood, pale and unmoving would fuel his nightmares for years to come. 

His hand moved over his injury, focusing intensely as he applied pressure to the wound. It stitched slowly. The blood flow had stopped. He did not move his hand away, keeping one on the stab wound and another on his cousin's perspiring forehead. 

The tears continued to fall down his cheek. He was out of his depth. Everything was a mess. Everyone was hurt. It was all his fault. He should have died that night and spared his family the pain they endured for him.

The teen bit back a cry and gritted his teeth. He glanced back, relieved to see his best friend healing the Kiri child. Haku got lucky. His injury was not grievous. Shisui eyed the bloody tears on Itachi’s face and his heart broke.

This was all his fault.

He should have been more vigilant. He was the eldest - fifteen years old. He was the most experienced out of them. He should have known. He should have prepared. He should've fought harder. He should've moved faster. He wasn't strong enough. Shisui felt the despair overtake him. 

He turned his gaze to his little cousin. He let out a relieved sob as he watched the color return to his cheeks. His little cousin was a fighter. He was going to battle death with his tiny fists and big heart. 

He heard his cousin move, making his way towards him. He carried the unconscious child with him. Kimimaro followed close behind him. 

“Shisui, are you okay?”

Itachi sounded confused. 

Shisui turned to him with a watery smile and he reached a hand forward. Itachi gripped his bloodied hand in concern. His gaze moved from his face to the boy on the ground and he watched the recognition return on his best friend’s face. 

Itachi fell to his knees and he stared at his little brother. Shisui kept a hand on Sasuke's small form, pulling his cousin closer. He rested Itachi's hand over Sasuke's little wrist. His pulse thrummed beneath their fingertips. 

“He’s alive.” Shisui whispered.

Itachi’s tears flowed rapidly  - a mix of translucent and red - He curled inwards and began to cry. He was not a silent crier. Small hitches of breath and gasps filled the desecrated battlefield. Shisui watched him with a broken heart and cried by his side silently. 

Chapter Text

XXII.

The air around the camp was subdued. Childish laughter was replaced with solemn silence. The teen sat vigilant, unmoving, as he watched the small children sleep. His eyes fell on the small form of his brother and he exhaled shakily. 

Itachi stared at the many bandages covering the small boys and he wiped his sore eyes aggressively. He heard the shuffle of the tent flap and he remained silent. His cousin took a seat by his side, pressing a bowl to his unmoving hands.

“Tachi, please. You have to eat.” Shisui whispered.

Itachi stared at the small bowl listlessly. It was plain rice. Neither had any desire to cook. Their appetite was hardly there. Itachi stared at the white grains of rice and he shook his head.

“I… I can’t.” He spoke softly. 

Shisui pressed a hand to his shoulder. “Please.”

Itachi shook his head. He wasn’t trying to be difficult. He really wasn’t. He just couldn’t stomach anything. Nothing until his otouto woke up. It hurt to swallow. It hurt to eat. It hurt to breathe. The food would not stay inside his stomach. He lowered the bowl, frustrated and angry. 

“I can’t.” He repeated more firmly. 

Shisui sighed, falling quiet by his side. 

“I’m sorry.”

Itachi’s head snapped upwards, staring at his cousin in confusion. What?  

Shisui smiled mirthlessly. “This…” His sole eye trailed over the children. “It's my fault… I… the second ROOT found me alive, they turned hostile. Perhaps it's better if I…” He exhaled, trailing off.

Itachi’s eyes widened. He grabbed his cousin by the elbow, gripping him angrily. “Don’t.”

Shisui frowned.

Itachi tightened his hold. “I mean it. I can’t… I don’t…” He looked away, eyeing Sasuke. 

“I don’t want to lose anyone. And… I can’t do this alone.”

Shisui remained quiet. 

“I mean it, Shisui. I won’t… I won’t…” He shook his head. “I won’t do this alone. You hear me? Sasuke, Haku, Kimimaro, I am not raising these children alone. You-” He hissed, grip tight and painful, watching as his cousin winced, “-are not allowed to die. Promise me, you will live.”

Shisui stared at him with a wide eye. His gaze fell to the sleeping children. He smiled wearily. 

“Yeah,” he looked at him, locking eyes. “I promise. If not for myself, then at least… for them.”

Itachi released him. 

It was not the response he wished for but it would have to do, for now. He had a lifetime to convince his cousin that he deserved to live. He eyed the sleeping children. They all deserved to live. He pressed a hand to his heart, listening to the steady beat. They all deserved a shot at a good life. He rubbed his sore eyes angrily. They did not deserve any of this. They all deserved better.  

His little brother with dreams of becoming a healer deserved to live to see them to fruition. The kind-hearted Kiri child who deserved all the pretty kimonos in the world needed to live a long life to see all the beauty the world had to offer. The cantankerous silver-haired child deserved to feel safe and protected, to live as a child and not as a pawn or foot soldier. Itachi gazed at his cousin, sitting tiredly by his side, quiet but steady and constant in his support. Shisui deserved a long life to see the children grow. 

Itachi nodded to himself, fingertips touching his newly acquired upgraded dojutsu –The Mangkyakou– It granted him a strength like no other. It would allow him to grow stronger, to reach greater heights, to protect . He would use every arsenal at his disposal to protect them all. He would do everything in his power to make their dreams come true. He vowed it silently with every atom in his body. 

I will protect your future. 

He inhaled and exhaled slowly, comforted by the warmth of his best friend sitting quietly by his side. His resolve hardened. He would see it happen or die trying. He would make a future for them all. 

Itachi shakily lifted the bowl of rice and took a determined bite. 

The small child stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing down at the waterfall. The wind blew his silver hair into his small face. He stared downward, unblinking and confused. A small scarred hand rested on his chest and he winced, face scrunching up in discomfort. 

He blinked rapidly.

What’s happening?

His chest hurt terribly.

Why?

He stared at the crashing waters, sensing out the soft energies from the camp. He became strongly attuned to the energies, learning to sense each individual one and its distinctive features. No energy felt the same. It was strange. He had paid attention to other chakras signatures in the past but it always came from a place of vigilance. To keep the threat within his sight. This was different.

He felt fear. He had always felt fear.

But this time it was different.

He was not scared for himself. 

He did not want the energies to flicker, to grow weaker, and disappear. 

Kimimaro slammed a fist against his chest. Thump thump thump. He did not understand. He felt terrible. Why? He was not hurt. He had no injuries. He escaped unscathed. Why was he feeling this way? The images flashed before his eyes and he exhaled shakily. He had seen the aftermath in confusion. 

Shisui had sat in the desecrated battlefield crying, injured and holding a small bleeding little boy to his chest. Haku was pale and unmoving. The sight of his still form filled him with wrongness. Sasuke had fallen into a deep sleep, heavily injured. The sound of his silence was strange to him. Would he never hear his voice again? His brother had sat by him and cried tears of blood.

Kimimaro had watched the strong soldiers break. 

He had watched the cheery teen who always smiled kindly at him turn into a pale ghost, moving like an anxious shadow, face heavy with guilt. Something was wrong. Kimimaro glared at the waterfall. He did not understand. Shisui was not hurt badly. Why did he cry? Why did he still cry? He could hear him at night, when he thought everyone was asleep, his breaths were uneven and shaky. 

Kimimaro focused. Sasuke’s energy was soft, small, and fluttering. Kimimaro listened closer, urging his senses to move deeper. He needed to listen closely. Haku’s energy was weak, too quiet. It seemed far away. The boy’s heart thudded rapidly in his chest. He wasn’t breathing as he listened desperately, hoping, praying for forces he did not believe in. 

Please, please, please. Let them come back. Please, please, please. Take me instead.

He listened with a desperation he never displayed before in his six years of living. The small boy gasped and his legs gave out. He sat on his knees, hand gripping the cold dirt in disbelief. His chest hurt deeper. It was all very strange. He heard the commotion from the tent and his lips lifted upwards in immense relief. 

Thank you.