Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was unusually sunny day in Konoha, even for summer. Not sunny in nice way. But rather sunny in a way that you could do nothing but lay around and complain about everything. Even animals were simply laying down. Lucky ones were in pool, if they had one.

Nobody was really working today. Merchants sat in front of drink fridge and enjoyed a little breeze it brought. Military Shinobi took off their vests and we're sitting in shadows, drinking water like they haven't done it in centuries. 

Uchiha clan on other hand wasn't as quiet. All Uchiha men argeed that there is no way they are policing the village today. So they all took a sick day. And their wife's made them spend that day in park with their children. While they stayed at home for moment of break. They indulged in such political talks in which their children showed no interest in. That's why young Uchiha's were deep in their own conversation.

"Akio if you don't stop cheating you'll play by yourself.", seven year old Sasuke said to his friend annoyed with his way of playing card games.

"I'm not cheating you just don't know how to play.", Akio defended himself while laying on grass unbotherd.

"You always say that and then cards fall out of your sleeve.", Genta scoffed and Sasuke nodded.

Akio, oldest of the three by four months, groaned, "You guys are annoying, it's just a game.", he said throwing hidden cards out of his sleeve.

"It isn't just a game when you get our cards when you win.", Sasuke threw his cards annoyed.

Akio rolled his eyes, "Fine then don't play.", he looked at Genta who also threw his cards, "Oh so you are leaving me too?"

"Either play fair or play alone.", Genta said sticking his thounge out and Sasuke nodded again.

Akio frowned, wrinkling his straight nose. His blue eyes staring at other two boys like daggers. Showing both his annoyance and resignation. After all he might be the oldest, but he was still outnumbered.

"That's bullshit.", Akio mumbeled.

"You said a bad word.", Sasuke stated obvious.

"Bullshit isn't a bad word? My dad says it all the time.", blue eyed boy said crossing his arms.

"Mine also says it, but then mom yells at him.", Sasuke chuckles slightly.

"And what's up with your dad when we are already at that?", Genta asked pointing to Fugaku who was at the table with other men.

Fugaku as usual looked sirius and cold as death. Looking at two of his clansmen arguing over politics. Observing their movements as if he'll be attacked at any moment.

Sasuke was used to seeing his father looking like this for last few months. Mikoto said it's because he's stressed because, from what Sasuke picked up, clan was having problems with rest of village and Third Hokage. And Fugaku as clan leader had to deal with it. It seems like situation is worst it has been ever since clan was pushed to the outskirts of the village. Politics took over every conversation over family table during dinner. Whether people liked it or not, it was hard to ignore situation at hand. Even Sasuke and other Uchiha children were aware that Uchiha clan was not in good place.

They noticed judgement stares they'd get whenever they were out of Uchiha clan area. Whispers of civilians would easily reach their sensitive ears, and sometimes they weren't even whispers. Other kids in academy would tell them those whisper to the face. How they were to blame for Nine Tales attack and how they were clan of traitors. Those children rarely thought that on their own, they just repeated what they heard from their older family members.

And younger Uchiha's were annoyed and angry by that. They didn't like the stares, whispers or insults. Who would love them? But not much could be done. Fighting with other children in academy only got them in trouble, not other kid. Which in return got their father's under suspicion of village.

Akio noticed the silence that fell over the three as they looked at their older clansmen. He sits up on grass, crossing his legs, not bothered to move few black strands that feel over his eyes. He leaned in closer to Genta and Sasuke. His expression sirius, probably too sirius for a seven year old child. But Akio was always like that, the angriest, toughest and roughest out of all Uchiha boys. 

"My dad says Konoha is planning to do something with us...", he whispered as if his word's were forbidden.

Genta and Sasuke leaned their heads towards him, listening to his words like they were scandalous rumors.

"He says we are problem for them, and how they'll probably treat us even worse.", Akio looked over to Sasuke with furrowed eyebrows,"And what does your dad say? He's the main guy here."

Sasuke moved his eyes to his father's expressionless face, "He says...", Sasuke sighs, "Well he says to me to not worry. But I heard him tell mother how it's not good, that Hokage and elders won't take Uchiha's complaints siriusly. Because of that, Curse of Hatred that makes us irrational or whatever."

"Curse of hatred...", Genta sighs with same sad and defeated look as Sasuke. They heard about that a lot in school. Even had a whole lesson just for that. That made Uchiha's not really like Iruka Sensei, and their parents, esspeicially fathers, liked him even less. If anything they heavily disliked him.

"And your brother? What does he say? He should have at least some intel.", Akio interrogated further.

Sasuke's sad look changes to one of annoyance, "He doesn't say anything. He's been begging father and mother to not make him put on braces for last month."

"Braces? But his teeth are straight.", Genta pointed out with confusion.

"Over bite.",Sasuke said simply.

"Oh! My sister has that!", Akio said with smile, "But she won't put on braces."

"Why not?",Genta asked the green eyed boy.

"Because she doesn't want to.", Akio said with nonchalant shrug, "My dad says dentists just want money and make problems out of anything."

"My dad says that too.", Sasuke adds.

"Sounds like your dad.", Genta chuckles a little, "Did he teach you fireball jutjsu yet?"

Sasuke looks to ground, his expression faltering a bit, "No he didn't..."

Akio gives Genta a deathly side glare. They both knew Sasuke was more sensitive then them. Esspeicially when it comes to his father. Since Sasuke felt like Fugaku didn't love him nearly as much as he loved Itachi. Even with his mother reassuring him it's not true, that was a thought that always lingered on Sasuke's young mind. Whether they were true or not, they were there.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll do it soon. The situation between clan and Konoha needs to calm down.", Akio said putting his arm on younger boys shoulder.

"And if he doesn't, I can always teach you.", Genta offered with small friendly smile.

Sasuke nodded a little before laying on grass with his arms behind his head. Akio and Genta did the same. They looked at blue sky with shining hot sun behind it's coulds. They let silence be between them, while other kids from Uchiha clan played and ran around, making all kinds of noises. 

It was nice. Weather was extremely hot, but with a little bit of wind it was livable. And shadow of tree helped them in their relaxing. From time to time one of them would let out a sigh. But not one of them broke the sacred silence that lingered around them. 

Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment, just to feel somone shake him lightly before he opened them. Then he saw how sky was gold, sun hiding behind mountains in distance. And his father kneeling with one knee next to him. His rough hand lightly touching Sasuke delicate shoulder.

Sasuke rubbed his eyes as he sat up. Small yawn escaping his mouth, "Yeah?", he whispered weakly.

Fugaku stood up, straightening his back, "You feel asleep. Get up now, we are going home.", Fugaku proclaimed with his usual expressionless look.

"But Akio and Genta...?", Sasuke looked over his shoulder to see his friends are already gone.

"They went away earlier, you were only one who fell asleep.", Fugaku states as he helps Sasuke get up.

"I was...the only one who fell asleep?", Sasuke asks in almost betrayed voice. Fugaku simply nods while already starting to walk away.

Sasuke fastly starts walking behind his father, catching up in few moments. 

They didn't talk, even tho tip of Sasuke's thounge burned for conversation with his father. About anything really. It could be weather, cartoon, animals, his war stories or anything. Just something that would break the silence.

During last few weeks, his father was exceptionally quiet. Rarely spoke if he wasn't directly addressed, and even then answers were short. Except in clan meetings, there he had to talk. But outside of that, he was so silent. 

Sasuke knew Fugaku was like this because of situation between clan and Konoha. Being a clan leader was already a lot, add in political turmoil and it's ten times harder. So Sasuke didn't blame his father for being slightly irritated last few months. But still he would have liked it if his father gave him just slightly more attention. Nothing much, but just tiny bit.

"Hey dad?", Fugaku looks down at his son as boy holds his hand, "When will you teach me fire ball Jutjsu?", boy asked slightly nervous.

"Ahh that...", Fugaku rubs his eyes with other hand as he sighs, "Listen Sasuke, currently i have other things to do...As soon as I can I'll teach you."

"Oh...Okay...", Sasuke says looking away from older man as they walked home.

Rest of evening was calm as sun dissapeared, even family dinner passed without anything big. No one argued, laughed, in fact they barely talked. The whole dinner was so somber that it annoyed Sasuke to the core.

With pout, he looked out of his window. The black night has fallen over the clan and village, silent as death. Moon was shining bright, giving light to souls that needed him. Maybe a Shinobi on a mission? Maybe a women walking back home? Maybe a rouge, a traitor, running away in calmness of night.

Stars were shining like bright diamonds, looking down at Sasuke like proud ancestors. Dead stars looking at alive planet. 

"Sasuke? You should be in bed.", Sasuke turned to quiet and calm voice of his mother at door. He glanced over at clock at which it said it was two after midnight. He should indeed be in bed right now.

"I'm going, I was looking outside at a...cat... Yeah...Cat...", Sasuke lied climbing up to his bed.

Mikoto walked over to her son, sitting on the edge of bed and pulling him just slightly closer. She could easily see when Sasuke lied, and she could easily notice when her son was troubled.

"What kept you awake so long?", she asked in hushed soft tone. 

"When will our clan be good with village again?", he asked looking up to her in dark.

Mikoto was slightly taken a back by question. She didn't think her youngest son was even slightly following the situation between clan and village. Then again, this was unfortunately more realistic then him not hearing and thinking about it all. That was one main topics everywhere, even amongst children it seems.

"I don't know Sasuke.", Mikoto said with sigh, "You shouldn't worry about that. Enjoy your youth and don't bother with politics."

"How can I not worry about it when those politics are ruining everything, brother and father now barely have time for me. Itachi takes whatever mission he can just to prove he's loyal. While father constantly looks like he'll fall asleep standing, and yet he barely sleeps."

Mikoto sighed again, rubbing her eyes,"That's a little too complicated for you."

Sasuke let's out a groan, "It's too complicated, everything is always too complicated for me. Even when it isn't it is...", he turned to his side, back facing Mikoto.

Mikoto stayed quiet for a moment, not really sure what to tell him to that. Whole situation was too complicated for her, let alone a seven year old. Sasuke was always a courius child, too courius for his own good often. She didn't want her son to get caught up in messy world of politics so young. Still she knew he eventually will, that seemed to be fate of every Shinobi. But she really didn't want him to worry about such things so young.

Even if she herself was a little worried for Fugaku. She had known him for years, and this seemed to be the most overworked he was. Then again clan was never in worse situation. Ever since it got relocated, the tensions just kept rising. Every try to fix the connection of clan and Konoha just seemed to worsen situation. 

It certainly didn't help that Uchiha clan had the most rouges. No other clan gave birth to more rouge ninjas then Uchiha clan. That ofcourse made people suspicious of Uchiha's in village, if you had a relative as rouge, you obviously wouldn't think they deserve death sentence. Which went again Shinobi rules. Traitor's deserve death, it's a known fact. But that rule was hard to follow for Uchiha's when they knew those people who left weren't exactly bad people. Still no one would say it out loud and bring even more suspicion onto themselves. Will of fire is the way after all.

Mikoto leaned over, giving Sasuke a gentle kiss on cheek before leaving the room quietly.

Chapter Text

Sasuke watched outside the window eagerly. Birds sang in early hours of the morning as sun was starting to show it's face to the world. The world that was already in motion. People working in and out of their houses. Man either being at or preparing to go to work. Shinobi marching across the streets as if they own them. Because they kinda do. After all they keep peace on and around them.

Sasuke could see Uchiha men exiting their houses one by one. Always the same ones who go early, same ones who go last minute and same ones who are late. He was used to them working like that. It was almost like Saturday tradition for Sasuke to spy on them from living room window.

But today he wasn't looking at them, or even interested in them. No, today he was trying to find a specific figure. His older brother, who was supposed to come back from a four day long mission outside of Konoha. In Itachi's letter he said he'd come home on Saturday morning. So Sasuke woke up at seven, and waited to see his brother's frame come up in the crowd. He wasn't bored, he was always a patient child. A little lively sometimes, but patient when he needed to be. And today was the day he needed to be patient.

"Father? How much until Itachi comes home?", Sasuke asks looking towards his dad who was brushing his hair as he prepared for work.

"He could come back anytime really.", Fugaku shrugged glancing to his youngest son.

"Alright.", Sasuke sighs, "But if you had to guess. When will he arrive?"

Fugaku glances towards the clock, "Within an hour, probably, depends if there wasn't any trouble on the way back."

"Pfft, brother wouldn't have problem with anyone. He's the best.", Sasuke huffed.

Fugaku looked at his son. Rising one eyebrow, not in confusion, but rather amusement. As one would be when they hear such words. True Itachi was strong, a prodigy and he had bright career as Shinobi in future. That is, if Konoha allows him that, they are capable of making exceptions. And Itachi might be one.

But Itachi was, at the end of the day, Uchiha. Whether boy liked it or not. And ussualy Uchiha men would be assigned to join Military Police Shinobi at sixteen. Only ones who didn't were those who went rouge before their time came. And Itachi's turn will come in four years. Leaf village might make an exception for him since he's also in ANBU black opps. But he wouldn't be first promising Uchiha Shinobi who was just thrown into Military police. 

"Yes.", Fugaku nodded waking up to Sasuke," Your brother is strong. But he's also twelve. So unfortunately for him, trouble is easy to arrive."

Sasuke scoffed looking up at his dad, "So what if he's twelve. Village already made him Chunin at ten. He says they might make him Jonin too soon. So he's bassicaly an adult."

Fugaku snorts at his son's words, "Yes, and adult who still can't look in direction of circus clowns because he thinks they are out to get him."

Sasuke shurgs and jumps down from couch, "In his defense they do look weird.", Sasuke swings his weight on feet a little, "And?"

"And what?", Fugaku sighs kneeling to be on Sasuke's level.

"When are you going to help me with my kunai practice?", Sasuke says looking at ground as if he asked for something sinful, "You promised you would today..."

Fugaku rubs his eyes and sighs. It was true, he did promise. Sasuke asked him last Monday and Fugaku just agreed on spot because he was already running late for some meeting.

"I did promise it to you, didn't I?", Fugaku asked rhetorically, Sasuke nodded looking at his dad this time, "Alright then.", Fugaku nodded too, "I'll help you after I come back from work."

Sasuke groans a little, "Who knows when will that be..."

Fugaku scoffs, "It'll be whenever I say, they all work for me. I don't need to explain myself to anyone."

Boy smiles at that, "So you promise you'll help me today?"

"Yes.", Fugaku reassures getting up on his legs again, "Take care of your mother while I'm gone.", he ruffeled Sasuke's hair and dissapeared for work.

Sasuke stayed in place with satisfied smile. He had already started thinking that his dad wouldn't do it today.

"What's got you so happy?", Mikoto asked, just exiting the master bedroom.

Sasuke looked at her with that same smile and shiny eyes, "Oh nothing."

"And even better question.", she yawned, "Why are you up so early?"

Sasuke's face turns into confusion for a split second before he remembers why he got up so early on Saturday. Itachi. He immediately jumped back on couch and kept staring out of the window.

"Itachi is coming back today.", he mumbled focusing his gaze on streets again. While Mikoto simply nodded.

She knew how much Sasuke looked up and adored his older brother, it was honestly adorable to her. Tho she wondered how will that change once he hits his edgy teenage years. He'll either start to hate Itachi, or cling to him more then ever, both are possible.

But for now Mikoto only wanted to enjoy seeing her youngest boy so adorable and excited. Teenage years can wait, they have time after all. So for now, why not just cherish the moment? He won't be like this forever.

"Here he is mom! Itachi's home!", Sasuke exclaimed jumping down from couch and running to front door.

Mikoto admired from window as her older son was slowly making closet to home. You could see on twelve year olds face that he was exhausted from the mission. I mean how could he not? Four days mission at his age is nothing to scoff at, especially outside of Konoha. Boy was bound to be tiered. No matter how much he trained, and what his rank was, he was still a mere child of twelve. Dosen't matter if he denied it or not.

Smile spread across Mikoto's lips as she saw Sasuke jump into his brother's arms happily. She slowly made her way to the hall where both boys entered.

"Hey mom...", Itachi voiced as he put Sasuke down on the floor.

Mikoto hugged Itachi warmly, kissing his forehead as boy wiggled a bit, "You look exhausted.", she observed.

"Because I am...", Itachi whispered with a slight smile as his mother let him go.

"You go shower, I'll make you food.", Mikoto said with a pat on boys shoulder.

"Can I eat too!?", Sasuke jumped into conversation.

"Ofcourse you can.", Mikoto said looking at Itachi walking down to bathroom.

Within half an hour both boys were sitting at table eating their food. 

Itachi didn't bother to dress into his Shinobi clothes, he was dressed in just his navy blue jinbei that was few sizes to big for him. That's because he stole it from Fugaku's old stuff some time ago. Mainly because it had a place to put kunais in. And unfortunately Itachi was pretty paranoid even in his sleep.

He didn't even bother to tie his hair, which was unusual, he always had it in some kind of ponytail. Out of practicality, it was just way easier to fight if your hair isn't in your face. And yet. Most Uchiha's would, during fights, let their hair loose, just to show off.

Hair was of great importance in Uchiha clan, it resembled your status. If your hair was short, thin and damaged, then most people assumed you were incapable of taking care of it. And if you were incapable of taking care of your hair, then you certainly weren't fit for something more important. That was belief of Uchiha clan. 

So hair had to be taken care of every day. That wasn't only women, it was men too, in fact men sometimes cared more. Why? Well they didn't really have an answer or reason. They just liked the feeling of wind in the hair during battle. And other possible reason was satisfaction at seeing men from other clan balding in their thirties while they still had full head of hair at fifty.

Uchiha's wore kanzashi more then any other clan in village, for every minor event. Esspeicially weddings, then the groom and bride had it at height of extravagance. The more shiny the better.

For most of Warring states era, it was usually only women who wore kanzashi. And when Madara Uchiha took over it was used less even by women, since Madara Uchiha wanted to push clan to focus more on strength, and less on shallowness. But. 

Izuna Uchiha had different plans. He was usually the one blamed praised for bringing kanzashi back full force, plus on men too. While it isn't really certain how it happened. It was commonly thought that Izuna Uchiha saw it while visiting Okomari clan for possible marriage agreement between him and one of the Okomari girls. Okomari clan was one, and only, clan Uchiha's traded with in that time. They were actually surprisingly on good terms. But either way, while there Izuna Uchiha saw both Okomari men and women wearing kanzashi. Decided to give it a try. And low and behold, next thing you know he came back to Uchiha clan with his hair costing more then his clothes. 

Legend says his father fainted when he got the bill from Okomari clan.

Izuna parading around the Uchiha clan with gold, silver and, everything that could feed the orphanage, made almost dead kanzashi come back full force. First it was mostly women, who gladly took Izuna's advice to buy it from Okomari clan. While men were more sceptical, since they were warriors they at first discarded the idea completely. Then they used it just once for an event, then again, and again, and again. And what do you know? In few months men also wore kanzashi on daily bases. Except in battlefield ofcourse.

At first it was tamer then women's, ussualy just something small, then they used more, and more, and more. Until both genders had equal number of unnecessary accessories in their hair. Only ones who didn't wear it were elders, Uchiha-only patriot's, and Madara Uchiha. Elders and Madara believed hair was least of their problems currently. While the third ones were angry because Uchiha's buyed accessories from different clan.

While Okomari clan was, ofcourse, very eager to sell their jewellery and kanzashi for money. "If Uchiha ever learn how to bargain, half of my clan will starve." was an actual thing Okomari clan leader said. In all honesty Uchiha's were keeping Okomari economy alive.

And that was something that Madara Uchiha put to stop once Uchiha clan became part of Konoha. Instead of buying it from Okomari clan they were supposed to buy it from other clans in village. Since Okomari clan didn't agree to become part of it. 

Welp, Uchiha's didn't like that since they considered that to be worse quality. So they kinda just stopped buying it and had to settle on using ones they had as family heirloom. That's why kanzashi weren't everyday thing anymore, and rather for events. So they were worn about two times a month. And hair was less extravagant than before, still nothing to scoff at and overdressing by other clan's standards. And it was also nothing surprising, clan's population grew, and they didn't have nearly enough kanzashi to look as before.

This was actually one of only things well documented in Uchiha clan prior to creation of Konoha. Most Uchiha's at that time didn't really write about politics because they were the same for decades. War, war, war and more war. So whenever something like this happened, that was out of ordinary, it seemed more interesting to write about. There was actually very little about Uchiha Izuna, but in here he was very well documented. 

Sasuke shook his head, moving his thoughts elsewhere as he stopped looking at Itachi's hair.

"Hey, Itachi?", Sasuke looked up at his brother who was eating peacefully.

"Hm?", Itachi looked at his little brother.

"How was your mission?", Sasuke asked a little awkwardly.

Itachi stayed quiet for a second, "I mean nothing much really. Mission like any other.", he furrows his eyebrows a little, "A lot of rouges on the way back tho..."

"Wow! You found rouges!", seven year old leaned forward in his seat.

Itachi nodded simply looking at the table, "About five. We were coming back, a few hours long travel trough forest and we'd be home. Then we saw group of rouges pass by. But they didn't notice us."

"So you didn't fight them?", Sasuke asked just slightly disappointed.

"I did. One of my older colleagues decided that we should go after them and deal with them like with other traitors. At first we had upper hand because of suprise attack. But they quickly got their mess together...", he rubs back of his neck, "They were good, really good. To make it worse one was an Uchiha rouge. So he had Sharingan. Which certainly didn't help."

"Did you win?", Sasuke asked courisuly.

Itachi gave Sasuke a stern stare, a slight frown on his face, "No... No I didn't...They managed to run away."

Sasuke stayed silent for a moment. It was actually very surprising for young boy to hear his brother admit defeat. Itachi ussualy called these moments minor issues, but this time he admitted his loss.

"Brother, why are rouge ninjas bad? Like why do we hunt them?", Sasuke blurted out in moment.

“They do whatever they want, even if it hurts other people. They are selfish and only care about themselves.", Itachi looks at his younger brother extremely sirius, "That’s why it’s important for us Shinobi to be loyal to our village and follow the rules and laws set by our leaders.”

Sasuke looked a little annoyed with anwser, "That's the exact same thing that writes in my Academy book. I wanted to know something new.", he sighs,"Never mind I'll just ask dad this evening...Oh I haven't told you!", seven year old's face lights up suddenly.

"Haven't told me what?", Itachi was happy with change of the topic.

"Dad said he'll help me with my kunai training when he gets from work!", Sasuke said rocking his legs back and fourth.

"That's great...", Itachi smiled gently.

Mikoto admired conversation between her two sons. But she could also see Itachi was too tired to deal with Sasuke's questions right now. Poor boy probably just wanted to get some well deserved sleep after long mission. On other hand Sasuke didn't really seem to care about that as he talked Itachi's ear off.

"Sasuke, sweetie, leave Itachi be for a bit.", Mikoto said taking away their empty plates to kitchen.

"But-"

"Rest of kids in clan are already outside playing. Go join them.", she said with smile, but tone was stern.

Sasuke glanced outside of window at other kids before getting off his seat and exited with a mumble," I don't even know how to play football..."

With Sasuke leaving both Mikoto and Itachi let out a sigh, "You should go and get some sleep."

"... Probably...",Itachi said not really focusing on conversation.

"What on your mind?", Mikoto noted his behaviour.

"Nothing much...Just thinking about one of missions Danzo gave me...", he sighed.

Mikoto frowned slightly, "He already gave you new mission? You just came back. Who does that old bast-"

"Walls have ears mom.", Itachi interrupted her voice cold and sirius.

She sighed and stayed quiet for a moment, "...And what is that new mission?"

"Can't say...Top secret...", Itachi said looking at the table.

Mikoto had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at that answer, "Such top secret that you can't tell even your mother?", her eyebrow rose.

Itachi simply nodded.

And suddenly silence fell over two of them. Every little movement and breath was heard. It was silence filled with fat tension, not awkward, angry or dangerous one. But rather knowing and familiar one.

"Alright...Go get some sleep, you need it."

Chapter Text

Sasuke was sitting at his table in Academy. Impatiently looking at clock. Half an hour left until he's freed. He stopped listening to whatever Iruka Sensei was saying long time ago. He never learned anything in academy anyway, he always learned it by himself or with Itachi's help.

Next to him, Akio was explaining lore of something he was reading to him. Sasuke would ussualy just completely ignore it, but this time it was hard not to let his couriusity win. 

Sasuke barely got the hold of the story, every line Akio said sounded like something he made up on spot. Which was possible, but knowing Akio he probably just found the manga with art style he thought was pretty. And didn't even look at what was story about. Then he got too deep in to leave it be.

From what Sasuke understood, which wasn't much, it was manga about cowboys trying to find a holy corpse, and kill president along the way. Sasuke would ask for Akio to help him understand, but he'd also rather die then have to listen to Akio's ramblings all the way home. This way he'll talk about it till the end of class and then move on to gossiping about their classmates on walk back to clan.

"Akio, that has to be one of most widely historically inaccurate stories I've heard.", Genta said calmly, blinking few times.

"Ok how about this one? A story about two man from Land of Waves. One poor, and one rich. The poor goes to live with a rich one. And there they must learn to get along.", Akio started.

Genta glares at Akio trough his round gold glasses,"Continue, so far it's too normal for your usual tastes."

Akio smiles cheekily, "The poor guy kills the rich guy's dog, kisses his girlfriend, poisonous his father. Then he becomes a vampire, and forces a mother to eat her baby. And -"

"Alright I've heard enough...", Genta sighs looking at his cousin in almost sympathy, as it saddens him to think Akio has to deal with himself 24/7.

"Was that historically accurate enough for you?", Sasuke snorts a bit.

"Well I mean... Technically it wasn't really inaccurate...It just so happens that content of the concept is quite disturbing.", Genta leans back in his seat.

"Disturbing? For you? Buddy you're the one who reads psychological thriller under your sheets.", Akio rolled his eyes, and Genta did the same, in same time.

"I cannot even have fun inside my four walls when you are alive, huh?", Genta scoffed slightly.

"Yeah. Shit like that happens our rooms are across eachother.", blue eyed boy sticks his thounge out to Genta.

"You're welcomed to move out whenever you like.", Genta's voice was clam.

"Sheesh Genta, calm down. If you throw him out who's gonna be your target for Kunai practice?", Sasuke huffed a laugh, Akio sent him a glare, and Genta had a ghost of smile.

"Wanna exchange cousins?", Akio leans to Sasuke with smirk, "You get Genta, i get literally anyone else."

Genta smacks Akio across head while Sasuke 

chuchles at them.

Sasuke couldn’t help but snicker at Akio and Genta’s argument. He was used to duos arguments, at this point he saw great amusement in them. Gone were the old times when he'd try and get them to get along. Now he just let them bicker it out.

“No way,” Sasuke said with a huff of laugh, “You can keep Genta. He’s your headache, not mine.”

" When you already mentioned kunai's.", Genta looks at Sasuke, "Did your dad help you with your training like he said he would?"

"Oh yeah, you did mention something like that.", Akio remembered one of their last conversations.

Sasuke smiles a little, but genuinely, looking away from both of them,"Yes, he did. This last Saturday, like he said he would..."

Akio and Genta glance at eachother then back at Sasuke, "Well duh obviously. Baby of the family and all...", Akio snorted, but no real animosity in his words.

"Akio, Sasuke and Genta Uchiha, do you have anything to share with class?", words of Iruka Sensei sent class into silence.

Three boys straighten their backs, glancing at eachother for a moment as they had attention of the whole room on them. Then Akio spoke up.

“No, Sensei, we don’t have anything to share. We apologise for our lack of care.”, Akio said, his face stoic, betraying no hint of emotion, together with his voice.

Other two boys next to him nodded. Sasuke fastly sending Akio another glance, seeing boys ability to keep such stoic face, even tho just a second ago he was making grimaces.

Sasuke turned his eyes back to Iruka, trying to look as innocent and obedient as possible.

The rest of the class passes by as Sasuke is mostly zoned out. He's barely paying attention to what Iruka is teaching. Not a single part of him was interested in whatever the lesson was. Boy's eyes would move from person to person rest of the class, looking at what they were doing. 

He saw some girl scribing drawings in her notebook. Some guys whispering to eachother. Some boy accidentally breaking his pen. It seemed no one in class was actually paying attention to academy class and what word's came out of Iruka's mouth. In fact most of class looked like it wss sleeping with eyes open. Which was actually quite accurate description.

Then, just ten minutes before it was all over, door of the class opened and Shinobi entered. That made class awake, they looked as Shinobi and Iruka talked for a moment. Then Iruka turned to Sasuke, gesturing to boy to go with Shinobi.

Sasuke looked at Akio and Genta, Akio shrugged and Genta sent him a knowing look, then he looked back at Shinobi. He slowly made his way towards Shinobi, his little school bag in hand.

Sasuke didn't know this Shinobi, it wasn't Military Police Shinobi, it was Hunter-nin Shinobi. Also known as member of Corpse Processing Team. And Sasuke didn't really know a lot of people who worked there. In Military Police he knew evrebody since only Uchiha's worked there. But Uchiha's in any other position in village was more then rare. Hunter-nin's were mix of all clan's. Tho mostly filled with Nara and Sarutobi clan members since the two were biggest clan in numbers that didn't have any rouge ninjas from them. It was almost impressive really.

Other Uchiha's always told him to be careful what he say's around Hunter-nin's. Say it to Hunter-nin, say it to the Hokage, there's no difference. They weren't his kin, they were Hokage's ears. And Sasuke was taught to keep his mouth tight around them. Every word can be used against the clan. Esspeicially since Hunter-nin's were always breathing down Uchiha's neck since clan had many rouges. So Uchiha clan was frustrated with Hunter-nin's. And Hunter-nin's were frustrated with Uchiha.

The Hunter-nin was tall, muscular Nara man. He had sharp jaw, long straight nose and green eyes, while his skin was brownish. Probably from the sun. He wore his headband around his neck, like it was a big necklace. And like above it, just under the jaw, was an older scar, not too big, but noticeable.

Man gave him a slight smile as they walked towards Hunter-nin headquarters, "So you are Sasuke Uchiha?"

Sasuke nodded looking up at man, "Yes, sir."

"My name is Takenori Nara.", he said giving a polite smile to Sasuke, while boy just nodded.

"Say? You're Fugaku's kid, right?", Hunter-nin said entering the door for little boy to enter.

"Yes, that is my dad.", Sasuke said looking around the room. It smelled of ink and cigarettes.

Walls were grey, maybe they were white but lost colour over time, but now they were grey. Emblems of the clans were hanging on those walls, all except Uchiha clan emblem. Even tho Hunter-nin was branch of ANBU, and there were few Uchiha's in ANBU. Itachi coming to mind. Still their emblem was only one missing.

Floor was old and made out of dark wood, it wasn't even cleaned properly. The building was loud, Hunting-nin's doing paperwork, planning strategies, interrogating and what not. 

Sasuke didn't like it in here one bit. It felt so ugly, cold and sterile. If anything it reminded him more of hospital then a Shinobi building. He wondered if Itachi's ANBU headquarters looked like this. If they had Uchiha banner, Itachi never mentioned it. In fact Itachi never told Sasuke anything about how it was in ANBU headquarters and company of other ANBU members. He'd just say Sasuke was too young for that, and that he should focus on something his age. And in all honesty, Sasuke probably should have. But it was hard for him to downplay his couriusity.

Itachi might even be Jonin soon, he says he heard talks about it from commanders and elders. While Sasuke was happy for his brother, he was also worried that meant he'd be on even longer missions. 

"Y'know I worked with your dad on a mission once or twice.", Takenori said walking through hallways as Sasuke followed.

Sasuke just glanced at the men as he continued to talk, "He's skilled Shinobi, tho stubborn as hell.", man huffed a laugh, Sasuke stayed silent.

"And your mom? Mikoto Uchiha, right?", Hunter-nin asked as if he didn't already know the answer.

"Yes, she's my mom.", Sasuke said simply.

"And how's she?", man asked opening the door of another room and gesturing for Sasuke to sit down.

"...Good...", boy anwserd with cold tone, he sat down at wooden chair. Sourannded with three Hunting-nin's looking at him with too polite expressions.

"So? What is that you wanted to ask me?", Sasuke asked with a click of a thounge.

"Oh, we just wanted to talk to you a little. We heard you have top marks in class.", man who sat across the table said. He was young, early thirties. Had a nicely done brown hair, high cheekbones. And a polite smile looking down at Sasuke.

Sasuke nodded. But he wondered.

Did they think he was dumb?

Did they really think he didn't know how these interrogations work? His dad was chief of Military Police. Sasuke knew how these things worked, probably better then some of these guys. And it annoyed him to no end how they acted like with any other kid towards him. Fugaku thought Sasuke how these things worked long time ago, it was a necessity for Uchiha. Evrey father thought their sons and daughters how to act when questioned by anyone outside of family. And kids knew, even if you think it's right thing, do not give more then necessary. Do not go into details. Play dumb until they get tired. Keep your mouth shut if you can't lie. Anything, but don't be an idiot sell-out. 

An older man mumbeled something, a Hyuga, "Say kid, how's your uncle? I mean your mother's brother?", he asked coming dangerously close to Sasuke.

Sasuke rised his thin eyebrow, "Uncle?... From mother's side?..."

Sasuke didn't know of any uncle on mother's side. If Mikoto had a brother, this is first time he hears of him. But still Sasuke was careful with his words.

"I don't know of any uncle on mom's side...If you mean my dad's brothers, you already know all three are buried.", Sasuke managed to say surprisingly calm, but his hands were gripping sides of chairs. While his toes, that didn't even reach the floor, curled. 

"You don't know your mother has a brother?", Takenori asked, not believing.

"First time I'm hearing about that.", Sasuke said honestly.

Takenori handed him a document. A young man's picture on it, Uchiha no doubt. Pale skin, jet black spiky hair, sharp facial features. Tho nose was a Roman one from side profile. But Uchiha nonetheless, I mean he had Uchiha emblem as a necklace. 

Sasuke read the words that were written under pictures.

______________________________________________

Name: Uchiha Takumi

Age: 17

Rank : Jonin

Speciality: Genjutsu, Chakra absorption techniques, Kenjutsu 

Legion: Tobirama 45th borderline force

Cause of death: unknown 

State of body: not found, most likely lost in aftermath of battle

______________________________________________

Sasuke looked up at Hunter-nin's much more sceptical then just a moment ago, "It says here he's dead. Why are you questioning me about him then?"

Man across the table sighed, "You see Sasuke...", they certainly weren't on first name bases, "Sometimes even we Shinobi can make a mistake. And here we did one. We concluded a man was dead too soon. So there might be possibility he's not. And we want to return him to his family. Wouldn't your mother be overjoyed if she saw her brother home? Well and alive?"

Sasuke stared at the man, stoicly and in distrust, "Yes, I suppose she would.", Sasuke said in same sirius tone his father answered unnecessary questions.

"Are you sure she didn't mention him? She must've grieved her brother's death. Didn't she? C'mon now you can tell me. We are friends.", Takenori said.

Maybe she did, maybe Sasuke just didn't pay attention to her when she spoke of him. Maybe he simply forgot those moments. But damn it, he sure as hell wasn't dumb. Again his dad was Chief of Military Police. Sasuke knew, question's aren't always question's. Sometimes they are just there to fill in an already chosen truth.

"If I could remember her telling me about this...",he glances at name, "Takumi, I would have told you. I was thought not to lie to authorities.", Sasuke lied.

Maybe this wasn't even such dangerous question to answer. But Sasuke remebered what Genta told him long ago, to pay attention to every syllable. Genta's dad was a rouge ninja, and Genta would get called for questioning at least once a week. At least he was up until last December, when his dad was caught and killed by one of Shinobi, but regular one, if Sasuke remebered correctly. But he wasn't completely sure about that. Either way, Genta told him what to do. He didn't need to tell Akio since they were first cousins. So while Genta was questioned about his dad, Akio was questioned about his uncle. If Sasuke remebered correctly Akio actually saw the man get killed. Apparently that's how Akio got his Sharingan, while Genta...

Well Genta sure as hell wasn't well after his dad was killed, understandable. He didn't speak for a whole month, he didn't eat for three days and he didn't leave his room for a week. Sasuke and Akio would stand in front of his room door, only hearing sobs coming from the fatherless boy. Even now you could see Genta wasn't the same, he was still quieter then usual. More stoic then he used to be, almost emotionless in face and actions. Less fun, some might say. Much more focused on academic studies.

But Sasuke and Akio still didn't stop hanging around him, if anything Akio started hanging around his cousin even more now. To them he wasn't emotionless robot, he was their friend and that was enough. 

No one outside of Uchiha clan gave Genta condolences, or any amount of sympathy. No, in fact some kids in Academy straight up told him his dad deserved it. Genta didn't blame them, that's what they were thought anyway. Well okay Sasuke had to be fair, there was that one blonde Yamanaka girl who gave him condolences. Ino, yes her, the girl who had crush on Sasuke. But no one else. 

Akio took the man's death much better, Akio always took everything better.

"Well yes of course...", one of Hunting-nin's huffed a laugh, "But really Sasuke, we are just trying to help your mother here."

"If my mom wanted help around this brother of her's, she would've asked for this herself.", Sasuke said looking man straight onto eyes, no fear behind either of pairs.

"Fine then. I suppose it would be your time to go home.", Takenori sighed, "Also, don't tell your parents you were here. You don't want them to get angry about you missing a class."

"Yes, sir.", Sasuke said slowly making his way out.

Oh, he was telling his parents everything. These Hunting-nin's either considered him an idiot or considered his parents idiots. Cause you don't just call an Uchiha into Hunting-nin's headquarters and question them, and then expect them to believe it was for nothing. Too many things happend because someone kept their mouth shut for too long. And Sasuke will make sure this isn't one of these cases.

Chapter Text

The door shut behind Sasuke—not loudly, not quietly, but enough to let the members of the household know he came back. He threw his school bag to the floor, but his shoulders didn’t feel any lighter. Not at all. If anything, they felt heavier and heavier as he walked closer to the living room. Closer to confrontation.

The compound smelled suspiciously old. It was like that usually. But today it felt extra. And almost unnatural. There was also the smell of food in the air, and tobacco. Sasuke could hear voices talking down the hallway.

He opened the door only to see his parents and Itachi already sitting at the table. Itachi and Mother engaging in their own conversation. Fugaku eating quietly, nothing out of the usual. They turned their heads towards Sasuke when they saw him enter.

“You’re home later than usual,” his father said, glancing at the clock.

“Mhm…” Sasuke confirmed, sitting down in his own seat, eyes on his plate.

And silence once again fell over them all. A more uncomfortable kind. The kind that happens at family dinners when uncles say something they aren’t supposed to.

Speaking of uncles—

“Mom, do I have an uncle?” Sasuke asked.

“Huh?” Mikoto raised an eyebrow. She and Fugaku exchanged a glance before looking at Sasuke again. Even Itachi was interested in what this would lead to.

"An uncle.", Sasuke repeated, "Do I have an uncle?"

She stayed silent for a moment, as if her brain was loading the question, "... You already know about them. Your dad told you long ago.", her eyes drafted to her husband.

“We’ve told you before — they’re dead. All three,” Fugaku said flatly. No remorse. No hesitation.

Sasuke shook his head. “I know that. I didn’t mean your brothers,” he looked up at Mikoto. “From your side. Do you have a brother?”

Mikoto froze for a moment. “…Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”

Sasuke opened and then closed his mouth. “I’m… I’m just interested…” he said weakly.

Itachi snorted quietly. Mikoto and Fugaku once again shared a glance.

Sasuke was, in that moment, angry with himself. He had told himself that he would tell his parents where he was called and why. But now, words just wouldn’t leave his mouth. Like a stone was stuck in his throat. His mind was telling him one thing, but his tongue was doing its own thing.

“Just interested?” Fugaku asked, looking down at Sasuke, reminding the boy just how small he was.

“Yes,” the seven-year-old said.

“All of a sudden?” Fugaku probed. “You never asked before. Didn’t even come close to that. Your mother never mentioned a brother. But out of nowhere you ask if she has one. And it’s just interest? A sudden one?”

“Relax, Dad…” Itachi joined the conversation. “He probably heard someone talk about something similar and decided to ask. You don’t need to interrogate him.”

Itachi’s words fell on deaf ears. Fugaku did not even spare him a glance. His eyes were stuck on Sasuke, like he could get answers just from Sasuke’s face. And the way this was going, Sasuke wouldn’t be surprised.

“Academy finished at one. It’s three now. Where were you all that time? Walking home should take you at most half an hour. An hour if I’m really being generous. The rest of the Uchiha came back at the usual time,” his father didn’t waste a second of breath. Every word calculated as if he planned this conversation.

Sasuke’s fingers curled around the hem of his shirt. He opened his mouth, then shut it again. The words were in his head—heavy, urgent—but they slid down his throat like stones.

Sasuke stayed silent. His eyes fell on Mikoto once again, whose eyes flickered between her youngest son and her husband.

She let out a sigh while standing up. “Sasuke, go to your room and wait for me.”

Sasuke listened, quickly making his way out, as if he would be punished if he didn’t. Itachi followed him with his eyes. Fugaku already opened his mouth to say something.

“Don’t,” Mikoto stated simply. “You talk to him like you’re interrogating him. Last thing we need is you to make him cry.” And with that, she left the room.

Fugaku let out a scoff and lit another cigarette. Itachi rolled his eyes.

“Again with your cancer sticks…” the boy with stress lines mumbled.

“The only thing worse than your attitude is your dental alignment. And we’re fixing one of the two,” his father stated, not even looking at him as he took a drag of his cigarette.

Itachi went quiet, his expressionless face turning into a frown as he glared at his father. It was a low blow and that man knew it.

Meanwhile in the other room were Sasuke and Mikoto. Sasuke was sitting on his bed, looking at the floor without a word. And Mikoto was kneeling in front of him, with a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“Sasuke?” she started quietly and softly. “Where were you today?”

His black eyes met hers, slightly uneasy, but not really scared. It was his mother after all. He knew she wished him no ill will. Still, words were hard to roll out of his mouth.

“Sasuke?” she tilted her head.

He let out a sigh. “I was in the Hunter-nin headquarters…” the words were finally said.

Mikoto’s eyes widened just a little. “Hunter-nin headquarters?” Sasuke nodded.

“And they asked you about my brother, right?” she put her other hand on his shoulder.

“Yes. They gave me his document… It says his name was Takumi Uchiha, and that he died,” the boy said, looking at his mother.

“And what did you say to them?” She gripped his shoulders just a little harder.

“I said I didn’t even know you had a brother. And that if it says that he’s dead… he’s dead…”

Mikoto let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, letting go of his shoulders and sitting next to him on the bed, pulling him closer.

“That’s good, good…” she mumbled more to herself than to him.

But for Sasuke, that wasn’t enough. He still didn’t have answers. Why had no one ever mentioned this man—Takumi? Even if he had died, why erase him completely? They still talked about Fugaku’s brothers, all three of whom had died as well. Sasuke and Itachi knew their names, heard their stories, visited their graves. But with Takumi there was nothing. No photos. No memories. Not even a gravestone.

Even in cases where there was no body to cremate, the Uchiha still erected tombstones. One of Fugaku’s brothers had also gone missing during the war—never found, just like Takumi—but his name was still carved into stone in the family plot. Fugaku visited that grave regularly. It was tradition. The Uchiha made time for the dead. Every Friday evening, the clan would walk the quiet rows of the graveyard, placing offerings, lighting incense. It wasn’t always about belief—more often, it was about respect.

The belief was that the Uchiha were more emotional than the rest of the village. Maybe it was true. Maybe they didn’t believe the spirits of the dead truly wandered, waiting for someone to visit—but something inside them felt like they did. That part of the brain that aches from memory, not logic. That place where nostalgia lives, and won’t let go. So they came anyway. Week after week. As if grief itself demanded ritual.

“Mom…” Sasuke leaned into her touch a little, “Who is that guy? Do you really have a brother?”

Mikoto let out a sigh, looking at the ceiling with tired eyes. “Takumi… Takumi is my brother, like they told you.”

Sasuke couldn’t say he was surprised. After all he’d been told today, it would be weirder if the man wasn’t her brother. But this still explained absolutely nothing to Sasuke’s confused brain.

“Then why don’t we ever go to his grave?” Sasuke asked in a whisper.

“Because he’s not dead,” Mikoto said flatly. Sasuke’s eyes widened a little. “But if someone asks? Takumi is dead.”

Sasuke stared at her. “How about you just explain this to me… in a very dumbed-down version?”

She let out something that wasn’t quite a laugh, but it was close. “My brother was a bit more rebellious than me. Younger than me, about four years. Anyway… He had some problems with Konoha, and Konoha had problems with him.”

“You’ll have to be more specific than just Konoha. Who in Konoha?” Sasuke said with a twitch of his nose.

“Military shinobi. Nothing really important—getting in fights and provocative behavior, from both sides. During the Second Shinobi War, he was sent off to fight since he was of age.” She rubbed her eyes with a sigh. “His legion got killed off, to the last man.”

“Why?” Sasuke asked quietly.

“War,” Mikoto answered simply.

Sasuke stayed silent at that. He heard about war often. Too many veterans in one clan. The Uchiha were always sent first to the frontline. Hokage and village elders always said it’s because they were the best. But then that begs the question: what use does Konoha have in sending their best soldiers to die first? And that is a question no one wants to ask or answer.

“But of course he didn’t die there.” She caressed Sasuke’s black hair. “He deserted right before the battle. A dumb decision on his part, but it kept him alive.”

Sasuke nodded a little. “Okay, but then why didn’t he come back?”

Mikoto let out a snort. “Why would he? They’d imprison him for deserting the army. And via that, also the village. He’d be a traitor. And well…” she looked him in the eyes, “I think you already know how traitors end up.”

“Without a head…” Sasuke said quietly, leaning into his mother’s touch.

“Yes… without a head…” Mikoto repeated in a whisper, then continued in a normal tone, “So he stayed rogue. But in Konoha’s eyes, he’s a disappeared corpse.”

“But how did you know he’s alive?” he asked while her fingers still ran through his hair.

“Ah, that,” she said flatly. “He showed up at mine and your dad’s wedding. Being legally dead wouldn’t stop him from watching that.”

“Your dad kicked him in the gut thinking he was some random Sound Village rogue,” Mikoto clicked her tongue.

Sasuke sighed. “Least surprising thing I heard today. And where’s Takumi now?”

“How am I supposed to know that?” she scoffed. “Could be some prison, could be a brothel, could be a farm. It’s not like he sends letters.”

Sasuke let out a little laugh. “Well, he seems fun,” he leaned against his mother’s tender shoulder. “But how come you never mentioned him? Does Itachi know?”

“Yes, Itachi does know,” Mikoto nodded. “Me and your dad told him when he was ten. We were planning to tell you at ten too. The reason I don’t mention him…” she stopped a little, furrowing her eyebrows as she moved her gaze to the floor, voice a little quieter, “I don’t know… It just never seems appropriate. Walls have ears.”

Sasuke rolled his black eyes. “Yes, yes, walls have ears. I know, every person I know says that.”

“Anyway, if anyone asks you—your uncle is dead. And if the Hunter-nin come to talk to you again, play dumb. He’s dead, you barely even know his name. And I’m in such agony about his death that I can’t even speak about him,” she tucked his hair behind his ear gently.

“And how do I explain why he doesn’t have a grave?” Sasuke asked.

“Uhh… You say… You say we keep his ashes in the house. Because I have a hard time parting with them,” Mikoto figured.

Sasuke just nodded silently. She kissed the top of his head and got up.

“Come on now. Let’s go finish dinner. I’ll talk to your dad about this,” his mother gave him a soft smile.

“You don’t need to. I can explain it to him,” Sasuke protested.

“I don’t doubt that. But it is my brother we are talking about. I think it’s only fair I talk about him,” she pointed out, raising an eyebrow but still with a smile.

“Okay…” Sasuke said, smiling back at her. “Your brother and husband. Not my problem.”

Mikoto chuckled softly as she watched the young Uchiha walk out of his room toward the smell of food.

Chapter Text

The rain poured hard outside of Naka Shrine. Thunders were heard, yet none of the Uchiha's were bothered by it. The room they were in was old, yet you couldn't tell since it was kept looking the same as when it was made. Madara wanted it to look humble, to show less materialism and more focus on actual discussions that were happening. But after his demise, clan elders and heads took matters into their own hands. The emblems were carved in walls. Gold was added, statues were put up, walls were painted in rich navy blue. Some say it was to honour Uchiha Izuna, most agree older Uchiha's wanted extravagance to look at.

There was about fifty man in room. Long conference table in middle of it. About twenty man were sitting by low table. The most notable ones, ones that had the most experience, knowledge and respect.

Uchiha Fugaku sat at top of it, face stoic and expressionless, as was expected of clan leader. He rested his elbow on one knee that was brought up. Leaning against floor with other arm. 

Next to him was Itachi, he wasn't supposed to be here at all. But he insisted on coming. He was already in ANBU, he should have a say in clan meetings. Or at least be aware of what is happening in them. No one was really surprised by his presence here—if we are being honest most probably thought Fugaku was forced by Mikoto to take him here. But they also didn't have a death wish to say it out loud.

Itachi's eyes flickered as elders talked about some mundane things. Finance, economy, and some other things he quite frankly didn't understand and didn't care about.

When elders stopped talking, a man raised his arm. Fugaku's eyes fell on him, and he started.

"Ren", he sighs, "Proceed."

He stood up with confidence of war criminal with no remorse. His hair was jet black and spiky—like most Uchiha's had. He was tall and slender, green eyes that stared into your soul and wouldn't let you sleep peacefully next night. Traditional clothes that made him seem both like seasoned veteran and elegant. Which he possibly was.

"Gentleman, I won't beat around the bush. We all know why we are here. We are all- ", he glances at Itachi sitting next to Fugaku, "Mostly, mostly adults."

"You said your ain't gonna beat around the bush."

Ren puts on a tight smile, "I'm aware.", he looks to Fugaku, "So back to the reason we are here. Will we, or will be not, rise a coup?"

And so, the question everybody came for was asked. There have been some rumours in clan about it for months now. It had been alluded in clan meetings, but never quite brought up. But now that tensions were high as ever with Third's suggestion that Uchiha kids be separated from others in academy, it seemed even more reasonable question. 

Suggestion in it self wasn't the thing that caused outrage. It was the way it was asked, like it was for their own good, like it was sheer pity from Konoha's side. It was a tone Uchiha's knew very well.

From Hashirama to Tobirama.

From Tobirama to Sarutobi.

From Sarutobi to Minato.

From Minato back to Sarutobi.

It was the same tone that was used after Nine-tails attack. Same tone that was used when they were told they're overreacting at Orochimaru's experiments.

Silence falls. All eyes are on Fugaku. Awaiting his words like a blessing, or a curse. He stays quiet for a moment. Passing his hand down his face with quiet groan. And he left it there, over his eyes, while he leaned back. Eyes of other men didn't change their direction.

"If we rise a coup.", Fugaku started, "And fail, we are dead."

Silence lasted for a while moment, until Ren interrupted it, " And if we don't fail? If we win?", he turned to others, "That would not only make our life's better, but life of our children. For our descendants. We would give them a future they deserve. One we, Uchiha's, were promised by his grace Hashirama."

"And what about other citizens of Konoha?", Itachi's voice cut like forgotten knife.

 Ren chuckles, "Well they ain't got nothing to worry about. We aren't Senju's after all.", low chuchle of agreement spreads the room.

"They can have their fun if, and when, we take over. We only ask for equality. And if they have to suffer a little in begining...So be it!", Ren exclaims, standing up on his feet,"We suffered ever since we joined this leaf collecting cult. We were promised to be equal to Senju's. But we are treated as less than any clan in Konoha."

"Konoha has reasons for everything it does.", Itachi's voice was firm, "If all of you showed just a little more loya-

"More loyalty?!", Ren scoffed, "How much more do they need?"

"Well obviously more!", Itachi said frustrated that he was interrupted in middle of speaking.

And there it was, the thing that separated Itachi from rest of the Uchiha's. His fierce loyalty and trust in Konoha, it's elders, Hokage and it's Shinobi. You could call it naive, you could call it manipulation, but you can't ignore it's existence.

Uchiha's didn't like that aspect of Itachi. But they neither pushed the boy away because of it. As much as they disagreed, he was an Uchiha, one of them, their blood. 

Whether that blood loved Konoha more than their life, or hated it more than their life. It hardly mattered. It was theirs and nobody can't change that no matter how much they wanted. Biology would betray them. You can't hide the blood, you can't hide the truth of blood.

"What do you want us to do?", Ren walked on low table towards Itachi, "Do we give them our eyes? Even more money? Do we willingly go even further away from center of Konoha? We give up our jewellery? Our traditions, to please them? Do we give them tribute in blood?!"

"No I don't think that.",Itachi’s voice was quieter but firm, "I still believe Konoha is worth trusting. If we just show them loyalty, work within the system, they’ll respect us. They want peace. We don’t have to fight."

Ren’s eyes narrowed, amused but serious, "You really believe that?"

Itachi’s jaw tightened,"I’ve seen what the village is supposed to be. The Third is just, fair. He won't let hatred rule."

Ren leaned forward, voice cold and sharp, "The Third? Just and fair? Politics ride of hatred. There always needs to be a common enemy in politics. To keep the others focused and loyal. In past it was other villages, independent clans, warlords and so on. It's that this time, Uchiha are the common enemy."

Itachi’s eyes flashed, the boy and the soldier inside wrestling,"Then what do you want us to do? Tear everything down? Destroy Konoha? That’s not justice—that’s revenge."

Ren smiled bitterly,"Justice is what you make it.Orochimaru is still alive, allowed by village elders. His victims had no justice. I’m not dismissing your hope. But hope doesn’t win wars."

Itachi finches, his eyes glancing at his father for a moment, " I said we should simply show them more loyalty."

"Oh that has always proven useful.", Ren let's out something between a scoff and a sigh,"Like when Uchiha Madara left the village and our ancestors didn't follow him.", he rises his hands to others, "And in return they thew them into Tobirama's claws. To him and his sick little experiments."

 Itachi stood up almost personally offended. It was one thing to discuss politics. It's other thing to insinuate anything negative towards Hokage. It was quite literally against the law. Danzo had told Itachi thousand of times, mocking Hokage is highest form of treason, it's blasphemy. Something a mere Shinobi, especially Uchiha, shouldn't even think about.

He was a loyalist to Konoha, evrebody knew that. But they also expected him to choose the clan in moment of great disparity. Like in this possible coup.

Itachi clenched his fists, "Those experiment's were never confirm-"

"Itachi.", Fugaku's simple word sent both man in monk like silence, "Sit down and keep quiet."

"But-"

"Itachi sit down or exit.", Fugaku's voice was firm, final, not even looking at the boy.

Itachi was looking at his father in disbelief and betrayal. It felt like slap in the face. His black eyes were wide, maybe even holding back an angry tear or two. Maybe...Or maybe he was too mature for such things. Too loyal to Konoha for such silly Uchiha emotions.

He sat down. His eyes looking down at table. Head not bowed, in fact it's high. But his posture suddenly felt smaller next to others. Almost childlike.

"And you Ren.", Fugaku looked up at his friend and teammate, "Stop walking around like dictator. Everything you say, even tho correct, sounds like you are devil himself."

Ren stayed silent for a moment, rubbing his neck while looking down, "Fair...", he sat back down on his seat.

"None of you see the accursed problem here.", Fugaku was now one walking the low table, "It's not the coup itself. It's what to do after it. Both if we lose or win. And I have great doubts we'd win."

"Why wouldn't we? We are objectively the strongest clan. And you are objectively the strongest clan head.", Ren said, his voice calm.

Fugaku snaps his head to Ren," True. But the village has numbers. There's around three hundred Uchiha's. Around 170 are ready and capable of fight. Maybe fifty above average Shinobi.", he turns to other men, "And half of us are in that fifty. Village has three hundred on duty Shinobi. Five hundred with those who aren't currently on duty. Six hundred if we add in Genin."

"They wouldn't-", an elder started.

"Yes, yes they would.", and with that, Fugaku shut the elder up, "We are outnumbered, a lot. I'm not saying it's impossible, it isn't. But it's highly unlikely that we win."

"You killed a legion in war. Just do it again.", some poor soul suggested.

Fugaku raised his head sharply, looking towards the way voice came from, "Yes. I did.", he was calm, his voice was low but echoing in the room where people clung to it like scripture, "And I'd prefer to never do it again.

"We'd prefer it too. Nobody here want's senseless blood baptism.", Ren said, putting conversation into motion again, " But I still vote for coup.", mumbles of agreement spread.

"Fortunately this isn't a democracy.", Itachi scoffed, they ignored his comment.

"We have evrey right to it. Ever since we joined Konoha, we kept our part of the deal. Hokage's didn't.", Ren kept his voice respectful, "As Uchiha Madara said to our fathers and grandfathers— 'All born equal, not all proven worthy', the problem is Uchihas are not born equal. But as less. And we've proven ourselves worthy, and we are treated as less than that dog clan."

"Inuzuka?"

"That one."

Fugaku sighs putting his arms behind his back, "You have a point Ren—but you don't have a plan."

Ren rose a thin eyebrow.

Itachi moved his gaze to Fugaku. Eyebrows furrowed at clan head words.

"I have absolutely no problem with coup itself. I would rise a coup tomorrow if it weren't for one small thing all of you are forgetting —or ignoring.", he looked Ren into eyes, "Consequences."

"We are ready to take them.", one younger clan member said and few people his age let out sounds of approval. Fugaku waved it off dismissively while lightning a cigarette.

"If we lose. Our women and children are dead. And our necks can kiss the sword. Esspeicially mine neck.", he took a drag.

"If we win?", question was heard.

He takes a drag of cigarette, puffing the smoke,"Well... If ignoring some political aspects...", they grabbed at every one of his syllables, "We and rest of the Uchiha would live better. Not really good. It's one thing to get rid of political oppression and law. Other thing to get rid of the hatred and dislike other people hold for us."

"Yes, but if we rule they'd be less open to show it.", Ren pointed out.

"Correct.", Fugaku nods,"Other villages currently aren't in position to attack Konoha. But they also don't like Sarutobi."

"So same as us.", an elder pointed out, Uchiha Daichi. Veteran of war. Man of strict, straight posture. Every line on his face seems like it's carved. One of Konoha's many war heros—or glorified war criminals, you choose. All those praises from second, third and fourth Hokage. And yet his grandson was mysteriously killed in solo mission, body not found— until it was. In Orochimaru's lab, barely human looking. Alive you could say, he was breathing, but couldn't move, talk or think. His eyes missing, eyelids sewn together. Barely a boy really.

Daichi killed him off. For many brutal decision, which only a monster with no heart could do, to kill his own grandson. But in reality. It was a merciful decision only a man who loved his kin more than life itself could do.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't kill Orochimaru, his prized student. It was a moment of weakness to let him go alive. Many didn't take it against him. It was human. To not be able to kill someone you bassicaly raised. And he was ex Hokage, what can you say to him.

Orochimaru took two types for his experiments, orphan's and Uchiha children. Orphan's in much bigger numbers than Uchiha children. But grieving mothers didn't care about statistics of victims. Their children died in mission, they made their peace with it. What they didn't, and never will, make peace with is the fact their kid's were being experimented on—God knows how long and in what ways by some maniac. And then for that man to still be alive.

Namikaze Minato, newly appointed Hokage didn't go after Orochimaru out of respect for Hiruzen's wishes. Because the third believed there was still good in him, hope that he sees wrongs in his ways.

And thus in next two months there was a mass exodus of Uchihas. At least forty new rouge Uchiha's, mostly angry young people. Konoha lost twenty percent of their elite defense. Uchiha clan was immediately put under close watch. It didn't help that only few months later was Nine-tails attack. And ofcourse, Uchiha clan was main suspect and pushed to the outskirts of Konoha.

"Same us, same us...", Fugaku mumbeled more to himself than to the men in room.

"Why can't we just leave the village? Separating?", a raspy voice asked.

"And go where?", Fugaku let out a bitter snort,"Other village? It would immediately start the war with Konoha. Staying completely separate is bassicaly a death wish, we'd have both rouge's and villages against us."

"But Okomari are separate and they have been fine for century.", another voice from crowd.

Ren groans, "Okomari is independent and rich. Which means they stand alone both in good and bad times. And with their money it's easy to buy defence. The kind of money which is more than three villages combined."

"The kind of money Uchiha clan certainly doesn't have.", Fugaku adds letting the smoke out if hua mouth.

"But we could still try to sway them with diplomacy. About the oppression. Hokage wouldn't turn the blind eye.", Itachi added quietly.

Fugaku looked over his shoulder at Itachi, with tierd and almost amused look.

"I tried, with both The third—and fourth before he kicked the bucket— Unfortunately I was called dramatic and over emotional in both situations.", he snorted, Itachi sighed.

"Famous Curse of hatred.", Daichi took a sip of his drink, most likely alcohol.

Bitter sarcasm spread across the man in room.

Curse of hatred. Main reason for all Uchiha problems. Not ever mentioned until Senju Tobirama came up with it. He even lead many experiments trying to prove it. All those documents only for Hokage's eyes and eyes of elders. The positions none of the Uchiha held. Thought in academy, written in books, hailed as truth in politics.

Which is why Uchiha's were ussualy kept out of any politics in village. And even when they weren't, they were treated as fourth graders who might throw a tantrum any moment. A condescending aspect most Uchiha's were used to. 

"So this brings us up to the first question.", Ren looked at Fugaku, "Do we, or do we not, rise a coup?"

Fugaku sighs, he looked at them like a man who aged five years in one meeting, "It's either we die slowly, or we rise the coup. If we win, we live proudly. I we lose, we die proudly..."

"So you agree? We rise a coup! It's better than slowly dying out like some animal who got hunted.", a nineteen year old Uchiha boy said, almost excited.

"I'm not saying I agree...", Fugaku groans, "But I don't disagree...At the end you have all already decided, I'm just here to make it official."

And they all waited for those words. To officiate it with words of clan head.

Fugaku takes a drag of his cigarette, like a man already making peace with death, "If the Village wanted peace, they shouldn’t have taught us to kill. Hope is dead then. The coup will happen."

The cheers abrupt amongst younger ones in room. Those at table sit silent, some a little smug, but even then, sirius.

Itachi's eyes don't widen, he expected this outcome. But his face lowered a bit. He was told by Danzo himself... Uchiha's were the problem...And now that special mission of his has became much harder to negotiate and avoid. Much, much, much harder to avoid.

And now he had to question it even more. Is he more tied to his clan, to his blood, or to village that taught him to betray that blood?

Ren rised a cup with bittersweet smile, almost sarcastic, "As the frog eating Westerners would say Vive la Révolution...."

Chapter Text

 Fugaku and Itachi walked in the rain. Soft drops falling on the concrete floor. Itachi was walking in that rain. Fugaku was under an umbrella and watching Itachi with amusement as the boy walked in the rain, determined and annoyed.

"...Do you want to get under the umbrella?" Fugaku asked with a sigh.

"No, but I did want a bit of support during the meeting. But no, sure, give it to your friend over your son. I mean, really, I'm just half you, your heir, the only Uchiha in Anbu. But sure, you go listen to what Ren has to say. Why wouldn't you listen to him? Ren is always right, he always has an opinion on everything. And somehow it's apparently always better than mine."

Fugaku blinked a few times, "You done?"

Itachi sighed, "Yeah, I am.", he said while moving to be under the umbrella with Fugaku.

"Meeting really pissed you off huh?", his father asked, moving the umbrella so it covers Itachi too.

Itachi just nodded, "But really, you could've helped me a bit.", he mumbled.

"You and I don't agree on the...Topic of meeting.", Fugaku looked around as if he was spied on. Which I mean? At this point it was a fair assumption.

"That doesn't mean you couldn't have helped me just a bit. It wouldn't hurt you, y'know?", Itachi scowled just a bit.

Fugaku raises an eyebrow with somewhat of an amused smile, "Would you have supported me if I was arguing something you don't agree with?"

Itachi stopped for a moment. It was true. He wouldn't have helped. It was his father, but he held his beliefs too close to his heart to help his father argue against something he believed in.

"Fair... But how was I even supposed to win against Ren of all people.", Itachi whispered looking at the ground. 

"You really don't like Ren huh?", Fugaku chuckles a bit.

"I don't understand how anyone likes him. Especially you. He talks like he has some war crimes under his belt."

"Don't we all?"

Itachi looked up at his father, "No, but seriously. Why do you like him?"

"You tend to get close to people who went through war with you.", Fugaku answered simply as they walked.

Fugaku didn't react at the slight flinch Itachi had at the mention of war, " So that's it? You were teammates and stayed friends? That's your only reason for dealing with him?"

"Oh, for the love of—", Fugaku groaned, "Yes, Itachi, a lot of people have friends. You should try it out. It's real fun."

Itachi started at Fugaku, unamused, "Low blow father, low blow..."

It was true that at this point Itachi didn't really have any friends. After Shisui died, he was pretty much alone. Outside of Izumi, but she isn't the same as a friend, so it doesn't count.

Itachi wouldn't really say he was lonely. He didn't feel particularly bad. He wasn't really happy either. But that had to do more with the clan's current situation than his loneliness. He was fine with other kids in the clan, but no real friends. Maybe it was a bit pathetic. But he usually didn't mind.

Still, it did suck when he saw other groups of friends while he was alone. He did miss Shisui, often missing their talks. Shisui and Itachi shared the same opinions on the coup. Sure, until today it wasn't official it was going to happen. 

But the coup was the only topic amongst the Uchiha for the last three months. And Shisui died last month. So they had their fair share of time to talk about it. It seemed like Shisui was the only one who shared the same perspective about the coup with Itachi. Everybody else their age was an eager supporter, already offering themselves for the front lines. 

What made Shisui being dead much worse was the fact people believed Itachi killed him. Itachi understood why they thought it. But it didn't make it suck any less. Pretty much only people who believed in Itachi's innocence were his parents. Sasuke doesn't even understand the situation.

"Y'know I sometimes wonder about how Akio and Genta will rub off on Sasuke.", Itachi said, with slight bitterness in his voice.

Ren was the man in the clan who trusted Itachi the least. And he was Akio's father and Genta's uncle. He sometimes wondered if two boys talked bad about him to Sasuke. Not that Sasuke would agree, after all, Itachi was his older brother who could do no wrong. 

"They won't rub off on eachother.", Fugaku looked down at Itachi, "All three are too stubborn for outside influences. At least from other kids."

"Sasuke is quite naive.", Itachi added.

"You don't need to worry. No words will make your younger brother hate you.", Fugaku said, putting his hand on Itachi's back as they walked.

"Mhm...", Itachi sighed, thoughts going back to war, "Do you think it will escalate to full-blown war?"

Fugaku thought for a second, looking in front of him and then back at his son.

"It won't...", he said quietly.

Itachi looked up at Fugaku, "...Are you sure?"

There was a moment of silence, and then Fugaku just sighed.

"I can't be sure of anything at this point. But don't worry, with or without it resulting in war. You and your brother will be fine.", he looked in the distance, "I was thinking of sending Sasuke and other younger Uchiha to the Okomari clan when it happens."

"You think the Okomari clan would accept it?", Itachi asked.

"Our rogues are their entire defense system. They better accept it.", Fugaku said, "But enough about that, we don't need someone to hear us. We'll continue talking about it when you get home."

Itachi raised his eyebrow at the words and his father's sudden stop in walking. He even removed his hand from Itachi's back.

"Where am I going?", Itachi asked not putting much thought into his words.

Fugaku's eye twitched, "Well, last time I checked, you have a meeting with fucking Danzo today—that you have been pestering both me and your mother for a week."

Itachi looked behind his back at the building that was indeed where Danzo was today. And his meeting was, indeed, in about twenty minutes.

"Ah yeah that.", he scratched the back of his head, "I guess I forgot."

"Like your last three dentist appointments?", his father raised an eyebrow.

"...Yeah...", Itachi looked up at sky, "Welp anyway, I gotta go. Love ya, bye.", Itachi quickly gave the man a small departure before running off across the street in the rain.

Fugaku just shook his head and continued walking home.

Itachi stepped into the tall government building, the familiar hum of fluorescent lights echoing faintly overhead. The marble floor beneath his sandals was still slick from where the janitors had recently cleaned, leaving behind a trail of thin streaks that caught the overhead light. He could smell the sharp tang of industrial cleaner—acrid, sterile, and clinging to the back of his throat. The scent hung in the air like a warning, faintly masking something older beneath it— the cold stone, the paper, the tension of bureaucracy. The air was cool and slightly too dry, the kind that made the inside of your nose itch. Somewhere in the distance, the faint squeak of a cart’s wheels echoed as another floor was being mopped. Itachi didn’t pause. He didn’t need to. He knew exactly where he was going.

He moved through halls and stairs with memory. This was far from the first time he was here. High walls and long staircases were engraved into his mind for all time. Sometimes he told others he had a meeting with Danzo, sometimes he kept his mouth shut. It really depended on the situation. Usually he was fast, trying to get it over with quickly. Because—quite frankly—staying with Danzo in the same room for longer than an hour seemed like a punishment only the devil could configure.

Yet today he was moving slowly. Dragging his feet up the stairs. He knew he shouldn't, after all, conversation will happen one way or another. It doesn't matter if it's an hour later or an hour earlier.

Itachi knocked on the wooden door, "Come in.", old familiar voice was heard, and Itachi listened and closed the door behind him.

"Danzo-sama.", he said, bowing in front of the elder.

"You came back from the Uchiha meeting?", Danzo asked not even looking up from the paperwork.

"Yes..."

"And?"

"...The coup is official...",Itachi shut his eyes.

"As we expected.", Danzo finally looked at Itachi, "You know what that means?"

Itachi swallowed, opening his eyes, "I believe there are still other options. My father is a reasonable man. With the right offer, he'd back down."

"You always see the best in people Itachi.", Danzo said, standing up, "But unfortunately that blinds you to see the truth in the situation."

Itachi clenched his jaw.

Danzo continued, "Your father has been blinded by hatred, together with your whole clan. They can't think reasonably now.", his voice was soft like he was telling Itachi a tale, "Not that I blame them, of course. It's not their fault they are cursed."

Silence fell after Danzo's words. But Itachi wasn't panicked, that was the scariest part. He knew exactly where this conversation would lead. And he knew how those words would turn into actions. Very bloody actions.

"Well, Itachi. Let's get to the point. Will you stick to your clan or to your village that has been so kind to you?", Danzo stood in front of Itachi, looking down at him.

Itachi stood up and stayed quiet, and he couldn't bring himself to look up at Danzo.

"Look at it this way, son. If Uchiha fail, most of you are either dead or, if you are lucky, rouge. If you even rise a coup, other villages would see Konoha is in a vulnerable position, and they would attack us. Which would result in another senseless war over territory. With even more dead.", Danzo put his boney hand on Itachi's shoulder, and the boy looked up at him.

"So people would die either way...", Itachi whispered.

"Precisely."

Itachi nodded, simply looking at the ground with his usual expressionless face.

"That is the reason we must get rid of Uchiha's. Why you must kill the—"

"And then what? I'd live my life as rouge, known as someone who murdered his whole clan.", Itachi interrupted with a stoic voice.

"Why are you in need of others approval? Isn't the important part that you do the right thing?", Danzo asked softly.

"I don't really think I have a right choice here.", Itachi scoffed, looking to the side.

"Oh son, there is always a right choice. The one that is the lesser evil is the right choice.", Danzo's voice was hushed as he moved his hand from Itachi's shoulder to his cheek, "Trust me, I hate that it came to this too. But there simply isn't any other option."

"Couldn't you just... Compromise with them or something?", Itachi asked looking at Danzo's hand.

"I tried child, I truly did. But your father is an extraordinarily stubborn man. Won't accept genetic facts and just how emotional Uchiha's are.", he stops for just a moment, "With the exception of you, and Shisui, ofcourse."

Itachi scoffed louder this time, pushing Danzo's hand away. Out of all people, Danzo shouldn't be allowed to say a word about Shisui after what he did. 

"Ahh, seems your friend informed you about a thing or two, huh?", Danzo sighed, "Well either way. I'm sure he would agree, something has to be done. And you are our only option."

"Somehow I'm not really convinced I'm the only option to slaughter my family.", Itachi furrowed his eyebrows.

"But you are.", Danzo chuckles softly, "If we use someone else and leave you alive. It would be obvious something was planned. You on other hand, when you do it, no one will care about the real story, they'll be too busy with tragedy of it all."

Itachi went quiet again and took a deep breath. His hands clenched, back straight. 

"So what do you say, son?"

"... I'll do it...But I won't kill my brother. Or any other Uchiha kid who Isn't even a genin."

"I'm afraid that isn't possible.", Danzo sighed, leaning against the table, " If you were to leave them all breathing, they would swear revange. One would eventually find out the truth. One finding out would lead to others finding out. And in no time there will be a problem fof the village."

"....", Itachi stayed silent, swallowing hard, "Then just Sasuke. He dosen't know anything about the coup. Father keeps him out of the politics."

"Sasuke?", Danzo said trying to pin the name to the face, "Ah yes I know him. I've seen him when talking to your father once, pretty boy, he'll definitely have girls running after him. I was honestly shocked Fugaku hasn't yet arranged him some good marriage."

"I won't kill him. Everybody else? Fine. But I want my brother alive.", Itachi's voice was firm.

Danzo sighs sadly, "Well alright then. Leave your brother alive. But rest better be buried."

Chapter Text

Sasuke was sitting at the table silently as he wrote his homework. Mikoto was drinking coffee beside him and talked to Fugaku. Who seemed less than concerned about the fact that Itachi didn't come back and it was already pitch black outside. Actually, neither of them seemed to even have Itachi in mind as they talked.

And Sasuke would lie if he said that didn't annoy him. They had a strict curfew for him, past seven, he wasn't allowed to go out. If he came back late, Mikoto would be standing in the living room, unamused. And when Sasuke asked when he would be allowed to stay outside as much as he wanted, Fugaku told him, "When you start paying the taxes.", so that's at least another ten years.

Meanwhile, Itachi was allowed to stay outside as much as he wanted. With only rule being to not leave the village without calling them first, even that was sometimes optional. It's not like he was adult, Mikoto and Fugaku simply weren't bothered or concerned since he was already so strong.

But Sasuke thought it was only fair that Itachi should have rules too—and maybe stop being such a nark. Always had to tell Fugaku every little thing Sasuke said. If he went to another clan with his friends, which they were forbidden to do, Itachi would tell Fugaku. If Sasuke stayed just a little late out, broke something, said something, or went to a part of the village Uchihas were forbidden from, Itachi just had to tell their parents. 

Luckily for Sasuke his dad rarely cared for most of it. Except Sasuke going to parts of the village where Uchiha were forbidden from, for that Sasuke wouldn't be allowed out for the weekend.

Sasuke was never really sure why he wasn't allowed in other clans. Kids in the academy constantly went to their friends from different clans. Only Uchiha kids had to stay within their clan. And if they didn't, some random Shinobi would drag them to the Shinobi police station to talk with their fathers. Sometimes an Uchiha on patrol would grab them and bring them back with mumbles.

Akio was dragged back thousands of times, he didn't even have friends in other clan's. He just did it to piss off people and, at this point, for the fun of it. Genta and Sasuke often had bets on how long it would take until they dragged him back. The longest it took was three hours, and the shortest was five minutes—his older sister went to the store and found him along the way.

But Sasuke never even tried, he tried once, and then got dragged to Police Station by Yamanaka Shinobi. And Fugaku put him under Itachi's watch for a week. It was a torturously long week filled with boredom and even more boredom. After that Sasuke didn't go to other clans no matter how much older Uchiha's tried to bribe him.

Yet he was never told why he wasn't allowed. Whenever he asked someone, they always said he was too young and that they'd tell him when he was older. Fugaku, Mikoto, Itachi and every single Uchiha. Akio and Genta seemed to understand it more. But Sasuke never really asked them.

"Did you finish your homework yet?", Mikoto asked seeing Sasuke was just staring at the paper.

Sasuke flinched a bit and looked at Mikoto then his homework again, "Uhh...Just one more question.", he read the question, "Against which chakra style is Lightning style strong?"

"Earth style.", Mikoto told him before taking a sip of her coffee.

Sasuke quickly wrote it down, shut his notebook and glanced at the clock, "It's ten o'clock, and Itachi is still not in sight."

Mikoto and Fugaku nodded, barely acknowledging it. Face's emotionless but content in silence. Sasuke scowled a bit. Glaring at his dad in particular.

"But if it was me you'd already be out ready to drag me back by the ear."

Fugaku raised an eyebrow at Sasuke, "Well, unlike your brother, you happen to be a seven-year-old midget."

Sasuke crossed his arms unamused, "Oh big deal, I'll be eight this summer."

"Oh big difference.", Fugaku snorted and Mikoto smiled at Sasuke slightly amused.

"Well it is.", Sasuke mumbled. "It seemed like a big deal to you when you were thirty-nine, but people said you were forty."

Mikoto let out a short laugh, and Fugaku stopped mid-coffee sip.

"That's not the sam— you know what? No I won't argue with seven-year-old."

"Seven and the half.", Sasuke said blankly and Fugaku sighed.

"Well sorry to break this intelligent debate.", Mikoto snorted taking an envelope from her pocket and gave it to Fugaku with smirk, "Your got a letter ", Fugaku accepted the letter with a groan.

"Who is it from?", Sasuke immediately got up and looked over his dad's shoulder curiously.

"Your grandpa.", Mikoto said looking at her husband while he was reading a letter.

"Which one?", Sasuke asked sitting between them.

"What do you mean which one? The one which is alive.", Fugaku said blankly reading the letter with frown.

"Ah so your dad.", Sasuke said leaning over Fugaku's arm to try and read it for himself.

The letter was handwritten with black ink. It was messy cursive handwriting that somehow looked elegant. Paper was brand new. Word's were written on both sides of it, and it was signed in a way you could see the writer was pissed off.

Before Sasuke could read it Fugaku scoffed and crumbled the paper without a second thought.

Mikoto watched Fugaku with her black eyes, "What does he say?"

"Nothing, he's just complaining about food in the retirement home.", Fugaku said, not even looking at her.

"I'd complain if I was in a retirement home too.", Sasuke mumbled against Fugaku's arm.

"I also complained when he would make me run ten kilometres in the summer sun without water from ages ten to seventeen. Seems we are even.", Fugaku scoffed.

"Okey but what was the point of sending him to a retirement home in Cloud Village?", Mikoto played the devil's advocate even though she already knew the answer.

Fugaku's eye twitches as he looks at Mikoto from the corner of his eyes, "I was under the impression I wouldn't have to hear from him that way.", he mumbles, "Unfortunately it seems he discovered ink and decided to torture me from across border."

"Well I think grandad was nice.", Sasuke said looking up at his dad with smirk.

Fugaku looked down at him, "Well bless ya' heart, Sasuke. We'll send you to him for summer so you can have fun.", Fugaku flicks Sasuke's head lightly.

"You could take me to Cloud Village for a few days in summer.", boy said with pleading wide smile, "With no Itachi ofcourse, he can stay with mom."

Both Mikoto and Fugaku let out a huff of laughter at that.

"You already got it all planned out, huh?", Mikoto said running a hand through Sasuke's hair as boy nodded contently.

"So what do you say?", black haired boy said looking up at his father hopefully.

"Oh you're serious about that?", Fugaku snorted.

Sasuke leaned against his dad's shoulder like a cat trying to get free food, "Oh C'mon dad. I ain't asking for something big."

Fugaku glanced at Mikoto who just shrugged before going back to drinking her coffee. Then he looked down at boy clinging to his arm and trying to get a free holiday trip.

"If Itachi can get all those bizarre adventures during the year. I can get just one, right?", Sasuke argued more.

His father sighed, "Fine, but only if you pass at the top of the class."

"You promise?", Sasuke asked, and Fugaku simply nodded. But that was more than enough.

Boy's eyes lighted up and his smile widened, "Thank you.", he said sweetly, still clinging to his father arm.

"Mhm...", Fugaku took a sip of coffee with his free hand.

Just then the door of the room was opened, and in came Itachi. Hair wet from rain that was silently falling outside. Eyes tired, as usual, and shoulders slumped down a bit.

Sasuke sent him a glare and let go of Fugaku as he straightened his back, "Well you look like shit."

"Sasuke.", Mikoto said sternly.

"What?!", Sasuke exclaimed, "I ain't lying!"

Itachi rolled his eyes as he sat down opposite them. He indeed, did look like shit, and he couldn't really deny it as much as he wanted to. But his younger brother had a point this time.

Fugaku's face darkened just a bit. Him and Itachi shared eye contact.

"Mikoto.", Fugaku tilted his head to his wife, "Take Sasuke to his room."

Sasuke groaned as he was pushed out, lightly, by his mother. Here it came again. Father and Itachi would have some important talk about who knows what.

Sasuke glanced to the side, "Mother? What are Father and Brother talking about?"

"Nothing you should worry about.", she said quietly.

He let out a low groan, "Again with that."

His mother sighed opening the door of his room. She really didn't want to explain clan's political situation, the coup planning, and his brother's role in all of this. She didn't even like that Itachi was tangled into this whole political mess. But it was too late to complain now.

Yet she could also understand her youngest son here. She herself also disliked whenever her parents kept her in shadows about something. So she knew how isolated Sasuke might feel about it. He already spent less time with Fugaku ever since Itachi joined ANBU. Seeing them having conversations without him probably struck a nerve or two. She couldn't blame him, but she also wouldn't let him get tangled into politics so early. Childhood is short and he should enjoy it. 

"Why do I have to go to sleep? It's only eleven.", boy complained quietly as he climbed up the bed. 

Mikoto sat on the edge of bed, tucking him in gently. The golden glow of the lamp set light and shadows on boy's face.

"Are they talking about me?", Sasuke crossed his arms with a frown.

Mikoto let out a tired sigh, "No Sasuke, they aren't talking about you..."

"Then why can I hear it? Father always has these important conversations with Itachi. He barely has time for me, but there's always time for Itachi.", he said his eyes moving from his mother.

"Sasuke... Your father isn't doing this because of some favoritism. Clan is currently not in best position. Itachi is in ANBU, only Uchiha in ANBU. He's a... He's there for negotiation with the village.", Mikoto tried her best to explain.

"...But he also trains with Itachi..."

"He trains with you too, no?", Mikoto made eye contact with him.

"Well yes...But he could do it more.", Sasuke looked at his mother pleadingly.

Mikoto took a deep breath, "Sasuke, I understand what you are saying. But you also have to understand the situation. Fugaku trains you as much as he can, and Itachi also trains you. But they have other duties.", she took his hand gently, "This will sound harsh, but I mean it in the best way possible. The world doesn't revolve around you. Your father can't just drop everything to go and train you. And Itachi can't suddenly become less important."

His black eyes looked into her black eyes. Her gaze softened even more.

"What situation is even the clan in?...", he mumbled under his breath.

She sighed again, it can't hurt that much? Right? "Haven't you noticed how you and other Uchiha's aren't allowed in same place as people from other clan's? Or how other people talk about us?"

Sasuke nodded.

"Well there's your answer. Village dosen't like us. And quite frankly, we don't like the village either. That's why there are so many Uchiha rouges. Village fears us because we are apparently hysterical.", Mikoto explained.

"Genta mentioned something about that hysterical part once.", Sasuke added.

Mikoto nods, "I'm not surprised, Genta is smart enough to already know about it. Anyway. That puts us in bad position in village. Where we aren't liked by people and elders because they think we are dangerous. While we don't like the village because of how they treat us."

Sasuke stayed quiet.

"Do you understand what I'm saying now? It's not that your father and brother want to be distant with you. It's that there currently isn't much of a choice. It's not because your dad doesn't love you. Or because he favors Itachi.", she asked softly while caressing Sasuke's cheek, " But as I said, you don't need to worry about politics, that's for us older people...and your brother."

"I understand mother...", Sasuke said looking down at his hands.

Mikoto's gaze was soft and gentle as she pulled Sasuke into a tight hug. "And remember. Your dad and I love you more than life itself. And don't ever think we hate you."

"...I love you mom...", Sasuke said softy. He closed his eyes, hugging his mother back.

"Oh I love you too. I love you too...", she said kissing his forehead.

A few hours later he fell asleep while soft tapping of rain was heard above him.

Chapter Text

"So you came?" Obito mumbled as he leaned against the tree.

"Madara..." Itachi nodded in acknowledgment.

They sat across from each other, cross-legged, their postures straight. Silence was heavy, but it didn't last for long.

"So? What do you choose?" Itachi asked, closing his eyes.

"I'll help you kill the clan. But not because I like you or agree with you. Purely out of personal reasons," the masked man said, looking at Itachi with one visible, determined eye.

"What kind of reasons?" Itachi asked carefully, narrowing his eyes.

A beat of silence. "Didn't you hear me? Personal reasons."

"That really doesn't answer my question," Itachi said.

"Tough luck. I ain't gonna start telling you my secrets. I don't ask you about your personal things, so mind your business," Obito scoffed.

Itachi raised one annoyed eyebrow and scowled slightly. "You know, for a guy that was described as stoic in all historical texts, you sure do have a lot of feelings."

"Kid, you are the one who believes historical texts of the Village that ordered you to kill your clan — over the real thing." He pointed to himself with his thumbs.

"...You are just... way different than I thought you would be," Itachi said quietly.

"You thinking about me was your first mistake," Obito said, crossing his arms.

Itachi rubbed his eyes. "...How didn't you even die from old age?" It was both an insult and a genuine question.

"Because I'm Uchiha Madara," Obito said blankly, smirking underneath the mask.

Itachi let out a groan. "And what's with the stupid mask?"

Obito pretended to think for a moment. "Aesthetic."

Itachi's eye twitched as he stared at the man.

He couldn't believe it. This was supposed to be Madara Uchiha? One of the strongest Uchiha to have ever lived acted like this. Itachi did his research, he really did. Madara was always described as mean-spirited, stoic, mostly silent, and not caring about his looks. The whole Kanzashi drama was because Madara thought it was ridiculous to care so much about looks—while Izuna thought the opposite.

But the man in front of him, Uchiha Madara himself, was not that. Yes, he had somewhat of these traits. But this guy was really just messing with Itachi's nerves during their conversations. He almost seemed stupid at times, but Itachi wasn't dumb enough to believe that too.

"I can really see why you never married..." Itachi mumbled under his breath.

"I did," Obito said flatly, and then bit the inside of his cheek.

Itachi's eyes widened. "What?"

"Well, I mean like, not technically, but basically. So back in the day, there was this woman, a clan leader of another clan. And me and her got along, like, really well. But she was married. So that was supposed to be a problem. But like..." he flexed his biceps on his right hand, "I was and I am Madara, so like obviously that other guy stood absolutely zero chance."

"You were involved in an affair?!" Itachi asked, wide-eyed.

Obito nodded, smiling widely underneath the mask. "Oh yeah, big time. In the bed, on the couch, on the floor, in the forest. In her clan, in my clan. With her husband around or not. In the broom closet, in the throne room, in the morning, night and day. Up and down, in and ou—"

"Okay, that's more than enough!" Itachi yelled, standing up. "You—you—you don't have any shame! Why isn't this even written down?!"

Obito tilted his head innocently. "Because it was a secret affair with a married woman. Writing it down would kinda defeat the 'secret' aspect of it."

"In all texts it says there was mutual respect! That you respected her because of her rare techniques! And that she respected you... I don't know! Because of your strength?!" Itachi was pacing around a bit, his mind currently reevaluating a lot of historical texts.

Obito couldn't resist it. "It was because of my dic—"

"No!" Itachi said, pissed. "That betrays the whole idea of respect and loyalty! You slept with a married woman!"

Obito rolled his eyes. "Oh please, don't be so dramatic. Her husband never even found out."

Itachi let out some incomprehensible angry noise.

Meanwhile, Obito was having a blast. This was so funny to him. He was making shit up as he went. From what he knew, Madara never slept with that woman, but he did use to mention her. And that made Obito suspicious when he was younger, because Madara giving praise to anyone was rare. But it was probably safe to assume even if they had a thing, it wasn't as dramatic and grandiose as Obito made it out. And it definitely wasn't after she was married if they slept together. Obito wasn't planning to stop though. This was too entertaining for him. Itachi was getting pissed off so easily. And quite frankly, Obito was bored.

"...You disgust me..." Itachi mumbled, sitting down again.

"She said the same thing after round five," Obito said flatly.

Itachi's eyebrows shot up. "Round five?..."

Obito scoffed. "Yeah, round five. What is confusing? You don't know what sex is?"

"I do!" Itachi exclaimed defensively. "But... Five?"

"I was going easy," Obito said flatly.

Itachi blinked. "...Goodness gracious..."

"Mhm, what can I say, I'm just built different," Obito was bullshitting.

"D—d—does that mean that her son is your son...?" Itachi was flabbergasted, but also curious at this point.

Obito thought for a moment. He could almost hear angry Madara yelling at him from the afterlife, but he'd pretend he was deaf. On the other hand, Akira Okomari, the woman in this story, would probably haunt his ass. But all of that was a price Obito was willing to pay. Especially now that he got Itachi so invested.

"Yeah, most likely. I mean, the competition wasn't really having a chance for it. If you know what I mean." He sent Itachi a wink.

Itachi covered his mouth with his palm. He couldn't believe all of this. This was all actually such big—and honestly very important—information. That would mean the current Okomari clan head is a descendant of Uchiha. Did the man know? Did he know his father wasn't actually his father? But it was instead, most likely, a deranged Uchiha?

This would completely change the dynamic between the Uchiha and Okomari clans. The two clans didn't communicate ever since the Okomari refused to join the village. Would this make them allies or foes? What even is this timeline?

"Did you love her?" Itachi asked, disturbed.

Obito scratched the back of his hand. Now he was thinking what would be more interesting to go by, that Madara Uchiha was helplessly in love, or that he was a fuckboy. Decisions, decisions...

"Love her? In my own strange, unhealthy way, yeah," Obito dropped.

"And she... she cheated on her husband just like that?" Itachi asked quietly.

"Yes," Obito said flatly. He could've sworn he heard a scream from someone in the afterlife.

Itachi didn't understand Madara's thought process here. Why would any man go after a woman who cheated on her husband just like that? Cheating was the worst form of betrayal. All trust and love, gone for some senseless rush of lust.

Itachi sighed. "And you slept with a woman who was ready to cheat on her husband?"

"I have a thing or two for morally bankrupt women," Obito sighed longingly.

"Trust me, I can see that." He glared at the masked man. "But you ain't getting off the hook either. You had no second thoughts about sleeping with a woman who had a husband?"

"I was born an asshole."

Itachi let out a loud groan. "Yes, I can see that." He glared at him for who knows which time in the last half hour. "I reckoned you'd be way more honorable..."

Obito followed with a groan of his own. "Kid, are we gonna plan the massacre or not?"

Itachi's face darkened, and his gaze fell on the ground before him until he shut his eyes and sighed.

"Yes, we will..." he stated quietly.

Even Obito's face behind the mask seemed to get more serious. "I already know the date of it, and other already chosen details. I snuck into Danzo's office to get it."

Itachi nodded and opened his eyes. "You can take out the stronger ones, but we'll have trouble if they get together."

The older man nodded. "You'll kill the ones you know are the biggest threat in their sleep... Actually, kill whoever you can in their sleep."

"Do you think it is possible we kill them all in their sleep...?" Itachi asked, slightly nervous.

"No. Someone is bound to wake up. That's why we'll take out all the strongest in their sleep. Others will be easy. Do you want me to kill your father and mother?" he asked as if it was the most normal question.

Itachi looked him straight in the eye with determination. "No, I'll kill them myself. Neither of them will try to kill me. I know them too well. My father lost three brothers; he won't have the heart to kill me. He doesn't even yell at me or Sasuke. My mother might hate me for what I'll do. Her family has always been pro-Uchiha to the max. But she won't hate me enough to kill me."

The sunlight on Itachi's skin felt wrong—too warm for a moment like this. He sat still, but his chest was tight. He had just promised to kill his own clan. The weight settled in slowly, like a hand around his throat. Across from him, the masked man was silent. But everything around them seemed much louder. No more hypotheticals. Just death, and a plan to deliver it. And he would start with the people who had raised him.

He didn't know how he'll watch his parents in the eye when the moment comes. He hated that he was using their love to his advantage. But it was an order. He had to keep the village safe. Danzo knows what he's talking about. Itachi might not like him, but the man is very well-versed in politics. The Uchiha being gone was in Konoha's best interest now that the coup was in motion.

Itachi swore his life to the village. It's his home. He can't let it fall because his people aren't happy. Konoha might not treat them as equals with other clans. But they know what's best. And if killing his whole clan means peace and safety for the village, then Itachi would do it. It was an order, and he was a soldier. His time came, and he had to follow it. He was no longer a child, but a proud Leaf Shinobi—no matter if others in the clan say the opposite.

The village is always right.

Chapter Text

In the academy backyard, laughter was echoing amongst its students. Most of them, at least. They were celebrating Shikamaru's victory in a spar. It was one of the first times they saw Nara shadow jutsu in motion.

Shikamaru was known as the lazy kid in class who wouldn't do anything except if it was absolutely necessary. He rarely even took notes in class—almost everything he knew was memorized. That's why, while he was smart, he was rarely amongst the best students.

He was a generally well-liked kid, except by the Uchiha. He always had some of his opinions to share about the Uchiha clan. No surprise—Nara and Uchiha aren't exactly fans of each other. It's actually been like that for decades now. Starting with Sasuke's grandfather, and then continuing on Fugaku's and Shikaku's beef. But that had been put to a halt for a few years now. Yet as always, bad blood stayed between the clans. Especially since the Uchiha were far from on good terms.

Kids in the academy would often murmur how the Uchiha can hypnotize people with their eyes. And how they use their eyes to cheat on tests. That accusation was especially loud around Genta, who always aced his tests without a struggle. Some said it out of jealousy—others said it because they genuinely believed it.

While Shikamaru was having a celebration outside, for which he didn’t ask, three boys were in the old school bathroom. The smell of the room was sterile in a way that made your throat dry and eyes teary.

"Oh, you should've seen your face!" Akio laughed, leaning against the wall.

Sasuke let out an annoyed groan while cleaning the blood off his face with water running from the sink.

Akio continued, "No, I mean really! My man, you looked as pathetic as it gets!"

"I know..." Sasuke mumbled, stopping the water.

"Nara’s won’t let you live it down.", Genta said, handing Sasuke a cloth to wipe his still-bloody nose.

"Shoot, I sure as hell won’t either!", Akio added.

Sasuke let out a sigh, "I put my guard down and then he got me with shadow jutsu."

"Yeah, we saw it...", Genta said gently.

"Everybody saw it.", Akio said, putting a hand on Sasuke’s shoulder, but wearing a grin.

"Akio, will you shut up?" Sasuke asked flatly, and the other boy shrugged.

Sasuke's gaze fell on the floor. His hands gripping the edges of the sink, the cold porcelain biting into his fingers as he gripped the sink. His reflection in the mirror looked like someone else—someone smaller.

He lost. He lost to Shikamaru. Fairly. As much as it pained him to admit it. He had no right to complain or be angry. Sasuke underestimated the effects of Shadow Jutsu. Everybody knew Shikamaru had it. Yet, Sasuke was careless and got trapped in it. When he got trapped in it during the spar, he genuinely couldn’t find a way out of it. Nothing he had in mind had worked. He couldn’t move or break out of it. If Sasuke could admit it to himself, that was a genuinely terrifying experience. His body suddenly wasn’t his—it wouldn’t listen. But it did listen to Shikamaru. And it felt humiliating. To stand there like an idiot and lose.

And other boys, that weren’t Uchiha, laughed like that was the best thing ever. Sasuke knew they didn’t like him. To each their own—frankly, he wasn’t their fan either. But he never laughed or celebrated when they lost. He always tried his best to mind his own business. If someone lost, they lost. He wouldn’t make a show out of it as if it was a life-or-death situation. Other guys, it seemed, didn’t have the same mentality as him. It annoyed Sasuke greatly.

It was one thing when other Uchiha made fun of him. They were all friends, no one felt hurt or offended. But Sasuke barely knew any of these guys. He didn’t like them, they didn’t like him. Sasuke thought the most obvious next step was simply ignoring each other so everybody could be happy. It would seem he was very wrong.

Because this was one time he lost a fight in the academy. And the whole village already knew about it.

"You think your dad heard by now?", Genta asked, leaning against the other sink.

Sasuke simply shrugged.

"Bet he did. Captain’s probably already disowning you in public.", Akio laughed again, but he stopped once his gaze fell on Sasuke again. Akio was by no means an expert on emotions, but he was also far from an idiot. He knew there was a limit, "Oh c'mon, Sasuke.", the blue-eyed boy snorted, "You lost? So what? You won a million other times and will a million more. It ain't nothin'."

Sasuke kept looking at the floor, "No, it ain’t. My grandpa could beat a Nara. My dad can still do that—knowing him, probably with more broken bones than necessary. Itachi can definitely do it if needed. And I couldn’t. I lost. I still don’t even understand if it's possible to beat that stupid jutsu."

"Well, if your dad could do it, then there definitely is a way. Right, Genta?", Akio turned to his cousin.

Genta, who was wiping his glasses, shook his head, "None that I know of. I could find scrolls on how the jutsu works. But nothing about breaking it is mentioned. I reckon the only way to win would be for the user to get too tired. If there is any other way, then it's probably amongst forbidden jutsu scrolls."

"Hmmm...", Akio put his arms behind his head, "Yeah, that does make sense. Nara clan wouldn't want their most precious jutsu to have a known counter-jutsu. But when it's us Uchiha, then it not only needs to be public knowledge, but we also get called 'eye freaks' for it. Gotta love how Konoha works, huh?"

"Akio, please leave your conspiracy theories for later.", Genta sighed putting his glasses back on.

Sasuke finally looked up, "It might not be public knowledge. But there has to be a way if both my grandpa and dad could beat someone from the Nara clan."

"I mean, it doesn't have to mean they broke out of it, no? Maybe they simply weren’t caught in it during the fight?", Genta suggested.

"Nah.", Akio bit an apple he stole from his sister this morning, "I’m not sure about his grandpa. But, no offense, Captain definitely got caught in it. I saw him spar with my dad. His whole style is taking a hard attack if it means it'll open an attack for him. There ain’t no way Captain was dodging shit, no offense Sasuke."

"You got that from just watching?", Genta asked, surprised.

"I can be smart when I wanna be.", Akio took another bite and looked at Sasuke, "In short, your dad got caught in it one hundred percent. But he also won against Shikaku, numerous times. So that means there is also a way to break out of it."

Sasuke glanced at Akio, "Well, I reckon you are right. But that gets us back to square one. How?"

Akio spat out a part of the apple into the trash beside the sink, "I ain’t smart enough for that one. And neither do I wanna be currently."

"Your intellectualism lasted a full forty-seven seconds.", Genta shook his head.

"I'll be damned. A new record of mine."

Sasuke let out another sigh. He wasn’t really bothered by the fact he lost, or by the fact he still wasn’t sure how to even break the jutsu. But rather that his other family members could do it while he couldn’t. Sasuke already felt he was falling behind the expectations—the very high ones that were expected after Itachi. He didn’t want to be the clan’s embarrassment. He didn’t need to be the pride of it, but not the embarrassment either. And in the village, even one loss was an embarrassment when it came from an Uchiha. No matter how old they were.

Really, the last thing Sasuke needed was to disappoint his father now. The man was already stressed by the whole clan thing. Not to mention the promise his father gave him—for that, Sasuke needed to pass at the top of the class. Sasuke didn’t really care about visiting Cloud Village. He was interested in being with Fugaku alone without Itachi. It would mean his father would give attention only to him for a few days. And those few days were everything Sasuke asked for.

He remembered Fugaku taking him and Itachi to Cloud Village to visit their grandpa. The retirement home was by the sea, and it was that year Sasuke learned how to swim. Sasuke had a lot of pretty memories from that visit. Even his grandpa was a lot nicer than he originally remembered. And more importantly, his grandpa liked him more than he did Itachi. So Sasuke wanted to repeat something like that again—just without Itachi to ruin the mood by bringing up politics in the early morning.

"Then I’ll ask my dad.", Sasuke whispered, "He beat Shikaku. That means he knows how to break the jutsu."

Akio leaned a little to the side and crossed his arms, "You think he’ll tell ya? My dad forced me to learn fire style no jutsu by myself. He was givin' emotional support, but still."

"Akio, your dad is a completely different breed of problem and you know it.", Sasuke said flatly.

Genta shrugged, "He is correct. Uncle Ren is a completely different thing. He even hangs out with that conspiracy theorist guy unironically—Fujio Okomari, I think."

Sasuke looked at Genta, "One with the son named Naoya?"

"Ye—"

"No.", Akio interrupted, and the other two looked at him confused, "It’s the right guy you are thinking about. But Naoya ain’t a guy. She’s a girl."

Sasuke’s and Genta’s eyes widened. Genta’s jaw even slightly opened. They looked at each other, then back at Akio.

"You serious?", Sasuke asked, still shocked.

"Yup. Dad took me to Fujio's house once. Naoya is a girl, her dad said it himself.", Akio said like it was common knowledge.

"But Naoya is a guy’s name.", Genta noted.

"Yeah, but her dad named her after her grandpa."

"And what was her grandpa?"

"Anti-government terrorist who had his head chopped off for assassinating one of Konoha's elders.", Akio threw the rest of the apple into the trash bin.

The two boys were quiet for a moment. It was quite a lot to take in for one sentence. But it was pretty on-brand for Okomari. Most Okomari were living as a separate clan, since forever pretty much. They never joined Konoha or any other village. They really didn’t need to—they were richer than most of the villages combined. With that money, they simply bought rogues for defense.

But one family did join Konoha a long time ago. Around the foundation of Konoha. Some Okomari man who saw the First Hokage and quickly decided that was his new god. So he stayed. His descendants didn’t share the same enthusiasm for the village. As mentioned, his son would kill the village elder. His grandson would be known to not trust the government—to the point of refusing to use the village’s electricity, thinking they were spying on him.

And Naoya, their classmate.

"Again, are you really sure Naoya is a girl?", Sasuke asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A girl through and through. The reason she wears boys’ clothes is because her dad believes kimonos and girl clothes are made by the government to dumb girls down.", Akio stopped and then added, "And the reason her hair looks like blonde Ramona Flowers is because she was bored and just cut it like that."

The other two stared at him like he was a court jester. They couldn’t tell if he was making things up or being honest—you could never tell with Akio.

Akio noticed their faces, "Don’t look at me that way. It’s what she said, not me. I did nothin' this time.", he raised his arms in surrender.

"And you know all of that how?", Sasuke asked.

"I saw her outside the academy one day. I asked where she was going. She said she was gonna go throw rocks at Iruka Sensei’s window. I said 'Sign me in', and then we talked while throwing rocks and that’s how I found out.", the blue-eyed boy said casually.

"You’re lyin'.", Sasuke said with a roll of his eyes.

Genta sighed, "No, no… He isn’t. That story is so moronic... But I did see him throwing rocks with her."

"...", Sasuke had no comment for that.

"So you are friends now?", Sasuke asked.

"Pfft, no." Akio snorted, "We were partners in crime for one day. There ain’t nothin' to it. She’s like rain—nice to look at from afar and wonder what shitshow she’ll cause. But terrible to be caught nearby."

"Did you also find out the reason she’s constantly frowning?", Sasuke asked, genuinely curious.

Akio narrowed his eyes, "Sasuke, I think that’s just her natural face."

"Well, that’s tragic.", Genta mumbled.

"Oh shut up Genta, you’re way uglier than her.", Sasuke scowled a bit.

"I didn’t mean it that way, Sasuke!", Genta got defensive.

"Ah okay, sorry then...", Sasuke scratched the back of his head with a faint blush of embarrassment on his cheeks.

"Well, either way...", Genta mumbled, "We got distracted. Back to the main topic. You, your dad, and a question."

"I don’t think there’s anything to talk about there anymore. I’ll just ask him how he broke the jutsu when I get back home and that’s it.", Sasuke really did believe it was that simple.

Akio did not, or rather he believed it was too boring and not dramatic enough. And such a thing will not slide on his watch.

"Nah, nah... I got a better idea. Today’s a Friday. The Uchiha will be visiting the graveyard. So your dad will go too. While there, when the atmosphere is gloomy and all, you ask him how he dealt with Shadow Jutsu.", Akio suggested.

"Yeah, sure. I’ll just ask him about some stupid jutsu while we’re lighting candles on his brothers’ graves.", Sasuke’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Well, he doesn’t seem to care. I never even heard Captain talk about his brothers.", Akio scoffed.

As mentioned before, Akio was by no means an expert on feelings or emotions.

Genta sent him a glare, "Akio..."

"No, he does have a point.", Sasuke shrugged, "Dad acts like they didn’t exist. I know quite a bit of stories about them. But they were all from other people in the clan, and some from Mikoto. He barely mentions them. I think he forgets they even existed sometimes."

Sasuke could compare this situation to one of his mother and Takumi. But it wasn’t really the same. Mikoto didn’t talk about her brother so that the story wouldn’t be questioned. And Fugaku also had his mouth shut about Takumi. Now that Sasuke knew Takumi existed and is alive, Mikoto gladly shares stories about her brother to Sasuke.

While Fugaku never did the same. Sasuke sometimes wondered if he even cared that all three of his older brothers are dead. Because he really didn’t show any care about it. The only time that Sasuke remembers Fugaku went to the graveyard when it wasn’t Friday—he was drunk out of his mind and it happened in the middle of the night. Sasuke was maybe five then, but he remembers his brother mentioning Father just stared at the tombstones until the sun rose. Then he came back home and never mentioned it. The only reason Sasuke really even knows this story is because he accidentally saw Fugaku when he came back home. And Sasuke still genuinely wonders how drunk he must’ve been to do something so meaningless and worry Mikoto so much by not coming home at usual hour.

Sasuke was never scared when Fugaku was drunk, and also it happened maybe two times in Sasuke’s life. Fugaku wasn’t much different when drunk. He just fell asleep faster.

"Well. Then ask him today when we visit the graveyard. Oh! And also immediately come tell me what was his answer! I have some beef with that one Nara girl in class.", Akio grinned.

"You’ll beat up a girl?", Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"We are seven, biological differences in strength aren’t showing yet.", Genta explained.

"Right... Seven-year-olds..."

''Which makes it more tha fair fight.'', Akio grinned.

They heard the bathroom door open up slowly and a head peeked through it. A pink head with green eyes.

"Oh hey Sasuke!", Sakura exclaimed happily.

Sasuke groaned.

Haruno Sakura. She was nothing special to Sasuke. But there was one thing she had that the rest of the girls in class also had—a crush on Sasuke. Which Sasuke tried his best to ignore altogether. It just caused unnecessary drama. Like the one Sakura and Yamanaka Ino had. Sasuke didn’t hear the details—he heard his name and decided he didn’t want to know anything else from that story.

Romance was not even on Sasuke’s mind. He’s seven. He found it idiotic to even have a crush, so he didn’t have one, and not one girl in class believed him. Each of them believed they’d eventually end up with him. They were all setting up a joke for a punchline he didn’t want to hear.

"Sakura... What are you doing in the boys’ bathroom?", Sasuke asked quietly, hiding behind Akio as if she’d eat him.

"Iruka Sensei sent me here to get you guys.", she said, stepping in.

Akio rolled his eyes, "And why?"

Sakura stopped mid-step. Looking at all three of them slightly confused. Even maybe a little amused.

"You three missed the last two school hours in here."

All three went quiet. Genta checked his clock and the other two looked at it too. Sakura was correct. It would seem they lost track of time and spent about two hours talking in the toilet. Okay, the first hour was just trying to get the blood off Sasuke’s face. The second one was for talking.

"Shit...", Akio mumbled.

And so they went back to class.

Chapter Text

Sasuke stood sheepishly at his father’s side, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his jacket, as Mikoto knelt before a weatherworn stone and lit a single candle at its base.

The flame flickered to life, small but defiant, catching the golden hush of evening. It clung to the wick like a breath held in reverence, casting a soft glow on the grave etched with her mother’s name. Mikoto didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. The silence was eloquent enough—full of memory, and things she could've said but didn't.

All around them, the graveyard stretched like a sea of stone, quiet and stoic beneath the bruised lavender sky. The tombstones were unadorned, humble markers hewn from unpolished rock, their surfaces rough with age and rain. Most bore only names and the year of passing—some faded so much that only families could know who it was. A few of the newer ones, less touched by time, included the year of birth, but those were exceptions. In the Warring States era, few bothered recording such things. A name and a death were enough. Life was fleeting, and rarely measured in years.

The Uchiha came in walking between the graves like shadows among shadows. Candles were lit one by one, little stars that fell down, their light wavering in the dry air. The scent of wax mingled with the dusty perfume of parched earth, the faint bitterness of summer grass curling at the edges of the headstones. Crickets had begun to stir, their song rising like a whisper between the rows of the dead.

Crows watched from the crooked branches of the trees at the edge of the cemetery, black silhouettes against a dimming sky. One cawed once, low and hoarse, as if acknowledging some old grievance buried with the ashes beneath them.

Sasuke shifted his weight, feeling awkward under the weight of tradition, of grief he hadn’t lived but still inherited. His father stood silent beside him, as unmoving as the stone that bore the family name. Mikoto’s back was straight, but her hands trembled faintly as she placed the candle down. It wasn’t sorrow, exactly. It was the remembering. And that, Sasuke realized, could sometimes be heavier than mourning.

A breeze passed through the graveyard, gentle and dry. It stirred the flame but did not snuff it out.

Sasuke looked at the grave in front of him. One is his great-grandfather from Mikoto's side, Izuna Uchiha. Then at the one next to it, of Mikoto's father. And then another grave and another and another. Graves never seemed to end wherever he looked.

Even though he was young and he knew such a worry was far from him. He wondered what death is like. Is it ascension to another world? Or simply return to nothingness? He didn't know. But he hated the thought that all these people are going to be forgotten one day. That had to be a fate worse than death, or even hatred. To be forgotten, like you never existed.

He knew it was natural, how it was destiny. Not everybody could be remembered. Most people weren't that important, or impressive enough for that. But that didn't mean they weren't good people. And good people deserved to be remembered.

"Father?", Sasuke looked at his father who started to walk away at this point, "Father.", he said just slightly louder.

The older man stopped and turned his head to Sasuke quietly. Boy froze a bit, but he swallowed and walked up to his father.

"Father...Can I go light candles on uncles graves too? With you?", his eyes were wide as they hopefully gazed at his father.

There was a moment of silence.

"Why would you want that? You don't know them.", Fugaku said looking at his youngest son.

"Well...Yeah, but they are still my blood. Why shouldn't I honor them?", boy said fidgeting with his fingers as his eyes met his father's.

Fugaku furrowed his eyebrows at Sasuke, "I suppose... Go on then, you can come with me.", and with that he turned to walk.

Sasuke's face lit up with a smile for just a moment. Then he quickly grabbed the bag with candles, waved at Mikoto, who stayed at her mother's grave, and then ran off to follow Fugaku.

They walked in silence. Light wind blowing in Sasuke's hair. In the corner of the graveyard were three graves, slightly isolated from other tombstones. Two graves were made of ordinary stone. While the third one, between them, was a polished black one, made out of obsidian with gold letters.

Sasuke knelt down next to that tombstone, putting a candle on it and lighting it. He also lit the candles on the other two as well. Softly and carefully putting it on them. But there were no flowers, his father didn't bring any.

Fugaku stood in front of the graves, watching Sasuke as he lit the candles and cleaned the graves. His face was stoic, but his eyebrows were furrowed in something like confusion. Almost like he didn't understand his son.

Sasuke bowed to the graves and then walked back to stand next to Fugaku. He stood by his father's side. Saying a silent prayer, but also wondering if his father was even thinking about his brothers right now. Or was his mind on paperwork, or maybe something even less important. Because Sasuke really couldn't tell from his face.

"Did you hear I lost to Nara Shikamaru today?", Sasuke asked quietly.

Fugaku nodded, "Well your classmates weren't exactly trying to keep it a secret."

"Yeah I expected that.", Sasuke pursed his lips.

"What happened?", Fugaku asked Sasuke, but his eyes were on the graves.

"We had a spar. It was going good—until Nara used Shadow jutsu and I got caught in it.", he mumbled, crossing his arms.

Fugaku raised his eyebrow and glanced at his boy, "Why didn't you break out of it then?"

Sasuke took a deep inhale, if this was anyone else than his parent, he would have started yelling and rolling his eyes. But this is his father. He couldn't do that. Oh but it was tempting. And it felt annoying that his father was even asking him that.

"Oh must've forgotten about that.", Sasuke scoffed quietly.

"Learning sarcasm, I see?", Fugaku tilted his head, "Now again, and don't give me a smartass answer, why didn't you break it?"

Sasuke shut his eyes tight for a second, took another deep breath, and looked up at his father again.

"Because I didn't know how to. How was I supposed to break a jutsu if I can't even move my body? It's bullshit.", he mumbled. That last word slipped him, but Fugaku didn't really care if Sasuke used ugly words—that was Mikoto's worry.

Fugaku's eyebrows raised, and he let out something that seemed like a huff of laughter at Sasuke's words, "Ah, so that is the problem? You have no idea how to even move while under Jutsu."

"I was actually planning to ask you that today, how did you beat Nara Shikaku if you got caught in the same jutsu? What can you even do against a Jutsu if you can't use hand signs?", Sasuke asked putting his arms behind his back.

"Well I don't think that would be even useful to you. It focuses on brute strength and extreme chakra control. So it's too advanced for you at this point.", Fugaku crossed his arms.

He watched Sasuke frown and mumble some more. Fugaku had to admit, he found it very amusing when Sasuke would get annoyed over something. Not in a bad way. But from Fugaku's perspective, it was like a cat getting angry at someone for not being allowed to jump into a river.

Fugaku knew Sasuke was a curious child, especially when it came to fighting. So it was only natural the boy would want to learn even the more advanced techniques. One's he shouldn't be able to master. It's not that it was impossible— but from personal experience, Fugaku knew it wasn't the best thing to start exercising extreme chakra control flow before you even hit puberty. Fugaku learned it the hard way, and he'd rather not let Sasuke do the same.

"Okay...", boy mumbles, "But that doesn't mean I shouldn't know it. What if some jealous Nara wants to kill me and I can't defend myself?"

"I don't think anyone is trying to kill you currently.", Fugaku snorted.

"Please please please, just tell me how to do it! I won't even try it! Please! I swear!", Sasuke exclaimed and started pulling Fugaku's arm with it.

"Alright, alright, let go of me now.", Fugaku said with a sigh.

Sasuke immediately let go of him, beaming with a smile. Looking up at his father as some prophet who will now give him ancient knowledge long lost in time.

"First of all, as I said, you'd need extreme chakra control. You'll have to be able to punch your chakra to the tip of your finger.", he started explaining, putting his hand as example, "When it's at the tip of your fingers. You have to break usual chakra flow routes. And let it spill on the outer layer of your skin."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "What? That's possible? For real?"

Fugaku nodded, "Yes, but if you fuck it up, you can say goodbye to your hand since it might explode. So most people don't do it."

The man continued, "That chakra needs to spill across your whole body, over clothes too. The layer has to be thick enough so it defies the Shadow Jutsu. But thin enough to not scar your skin, which means basically invisible."

Sasuke glanced at his hand, "Then how isn't my hand already scarred by chakra?"

"Because in the academy, and by anyone who isn't a moron, you are thought to summon Chakra in a way that it already isn't against your skin, it's a small distance, probably invisible to the human eye, but enough so it doesn't scar your body.", Fugaku explained.

Sasuke nodded like a soldier, "Alright I get that part now."

Fugaku continued, "You see, that layer of Chakra you spread over your body, it will allow you to defy Shadow Jutjsu, it will make distance between Shadow Jutsu and your skin."

"And that will allow me to move?", Sasuke asked, standing on his toes as if that will make him as tall as his father.

"No, it will only give you the possibility to do so. Now comes the brute strength part, which is possibly more important. That is what will allow you to move. You have to be strong enough to defy the Shadow Jutsu that's holding you down.", Fugaku leaned down just a little for Sasuke, "Even with the Chakra layer that makes distance between you and Shadow just. It will feel like Shadow Jutsu is pushing your body same as it's user, because that is what it does."

"Aha, and that brute strength is with which I push the Jutsu back?", Sasuke asked focused.

Fugaku nodded, "Basically yes. But you also have to maintain the layer of Chakra on your skin. And when I say brute strength, I mean really, really, massive strength. Your chakra will be focused on protection of your body. So all that will be left is your own body's brute strength."

"That makes sense, is that how I completely break it?"

"No.", he shook his head, "To break it completely, you have to distract the Nara enough for them to stop using it."

"I mean that ain't really a problem!", black-haired boy exclaimed happy, "All I need is to throw a punch or two."

The man hummed a bit, "Pretty much yeah, that's the best way. But—"

"Why is there always a 'but' with you?", Sasuke furrowed his brows.

Fugaku snorted and ruffled his hair into a mess, "Calm down, all I was going to say is that, for first time, you will move way slower than later. Which is natural. When I first used it I moved like a dead man walking. Now I don't even stop to do it."

"Then it seems I'll have to beat Nara Shikamaru a few times to master it, huh?", Sasuke let out a grin on that, "It will be a great revenge."

"What revange?", Fugaku snorted, "Don't do revenge for something like that, it's pathetic. If you must have some kind of revenge, rather make it justice."

"I'm not really getting what you are saying.", Sasuke put his hands on his hips.

Fugaku rolled his eyes, but not with malice, "What I'm saying is your revenge has to be justified. If not, then you'll just be a pathetic, prideful, and too stubborn guy who will end up an alcoholic. Revenge is supposed to be justice when justice isn't served right."

"What do you mean justice isn't served right? That's why we have Shinobi for, no?", Sasuke asked, genuinely curious.

"For example.", Fugaku started, "Let's say a man had his wife killed. But her killer was a rich man whose family has great reputation, he is important to the community, and he gets away with it because of it. And the man kills the killer, is it revenge? Yes. Is it justifiable? Yes absolutely. Is it legal? Absolutely not."

"So revenge is something like, a bad justice?", boy clicked his tongue.

"I'd rather call it cruel, but righteous, judgement.", Fugaku looked down at boy, "But if you decide to do revenge because someone is better than you at something. That isn't revange, it's pathetic obsession—well, alright, obsession might be a strong word, but you know what I mean."

"Oh...Then I won't get revenge on Shikamaru... I'll—um—simply ignore him and get stronger. That good?", he looked at his father for approval.

Fugaku nodded in approval, "That's better.", he said taking out a cigarette pack.

Sasuke stopped, staring at his father for a few moments, blinking in both innocence and confusion.

"What?", Fugaku asked letting the smoke out.

"Are you allowed to smoke in graveyard?", boy asked silently.

Fugaku scoffed. Sasuke continued.

"Especially in front of your brother's graves?"

"Trust me...", Fugaku put the cigarette back into his mouth, "They couldn't care less about me smoking next to their graves."

"Maybe, but you really shouldn't do it.", Sasuke looked at the cigarette, "If you don't smoke on their grave, I won't on yours either. Deal?", Sasuke extended his hand.

Fugaku blinked a few times. He didn't even get that the boy was serious at first. The realization only hit him when he saw the determined look on the boy's face. He really didn't understand why Sasuke would even care that much. But still, he threw the cigarette away and shook Sasuke's hand silently, the boy beamed once again.

"I really fail to see why you care so much.", Fugaku said, "You didn't even know my brother's. They are of no importance to you, including their graves. You only share blood with them."

"I didn't know them personally. But I know the stories. They are my family, so I should care about them.", Sasuke said.

"You don't have to love, or even like, someone just because it's your family.", Fugaku said looking at the graves again.

"But you do know them, and since you loved them, why would I do anything else?", Sasuke said also averting his eyes to the three tombstones.

Fugaku stayed silent for a moment. And that silence, and look on his father's face, made Sasuke wonder again. Does his father even care about his brother's. By the way he speaks of his family, prior to Mikoto, was negative most of the time, and very rare.

Sasuke decided it was now or never. But he also didn't want to be too blunt with his question. Or at least not start with it. So he opened his mouth and began.

"Father, did you get along with your brother's? Like me and Itachi? Or were you guys constantly fighting?"

Fugaku's eyebrows furrowed, "Why do you ask?"

"No particular reason, Akio and Genta were mentioning how their father's got along as kids. So I wondered about you and your brother's.", Sasuke said not looking at him.

"...Mansen and Reikan never got along. Mansen didn't get along with anyone. Reikan got along with me and Souma. Souma got along with everyone. But Mansen didn't get along with him.", Fugaku said.

Mansen was the oldest child, expected to be an heir. But was removed from the position of heir at twenty. No one really knew the reason. Reikan was the second oldest, known as a Fire Style no Jutsu prodigy. Using it in way more creative ways than it was intended. Souma was third, the weakest one, the village didn't know him, clan didn't know him. He never even had Shinobi training. Fugaku was the fourth one, the youngest child and the only one still alive.

"Well that's way more complicated than I thought it would be.", Sasuke sighed, "I heard from other clan members they were all pretty strong, except Souma, did you ever train together?"

"No, no we didn't. I might have sparred with Reikan, once. We did fight, but those weren't training.", he said quietly, glaring at the grave.

"Ah...Did Souma ever fight?", boy asked.

"No. Souma never fought.", Fugaku said flatly.

"Why?", Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Because he was ill.", was Fugaku's answer.

"What did he have? Bone condition? Skin problems?", Sasuke pestered.

"It wasn't that kind of illness Sasuke.", Fugaku said looking at the tombstone in the middle, "It was a mental kind."

That still wasn't enough for Sasuke, "Ok, but which one was it? You can't leave me guessing now.", he said as if this was bingo.

"It was Schizophrenia.", Fugaku's answer was flat, void of emotion.

That made Sasuke shut up. He always knew his uncle was ill in some way, that wasn't a secret. But this, no one knew. Sasuke never even thought about it. And he didn't like thinking about it now.

"That's why he never had Shinobi training. If he were to be met with Genjutsu. It would only make his state worse. Bending reality that's already bent for him. So my father decided to not make him a Shinobi.", Fugaku explained with no expression on his face.

Sasuke now stared at the grave with Souma's name on it.

"Do not tell this to anyone.", Fugaku sighed, "I want my brother to be remembered as himself, not just as the 'mad' Uchiha. He already heard it enough in life. At the very least he can rest in peace."

Sasuke nodded slowly.

"Dad? Did you...love you brothers?", Sasuke finnaly asked.

"...I did...", it was a simple answer, "Go to your mother, I'll go out for a bit. I need a cigarette."

Sasuke stood, watching his father leave the graveyard and him behind. He now felt as if spirits were looking at him and were way more focused.

Chapter Text

Sasuke sat on the steps, shoulder-to-shoulder with another boy from the clan. Around them, about ten Uchiha kids clustered in a loose circle, the air buzzing with chatter and cigarette smoke. All eyes were on one older boy leaning casually against the railing, a worn magazine spread open in his hands.

Uchiha Nanao — affectionately called Nana by most of the clan — was seventeen and, by all definitions, a shinobi disappointment. He had failed the Genin exam four times. A feat that was hard to get even if you were a complete idiot. Most people suspected he did it on purpose, which was honestly a fair assumption considering how unnervingly good he was at street fights. Nanao himself had stopped denying it by the time he turned fifteen.

Itachi hated him. He liked to tell Sasuke that Nanao was a perfect example of how to make your ancestors cry in shame. But Sasuke had his doubts. He was pretty sure Itachi’s dislike also had something to do with a fact Itachi had crush on Nanao's girlfriend.

At this point, the rest of the clan just let Nanao be. Better to fail the academy than to be blindly loyal to a village that didn’t like you — that was the general opinion now. And Nanao wasn’t weak; he was just… legally incompetent. Most clan members were on good terms with him.

The elders on other hand, just like Itachi, couldn’t stand him. But for a diffrent reason. Not because of his shinobi record, but because of his music taste and the way he dressed. In their words, it was uncivilized and uncultured. Metal, rock, punk, post-punk — they didn’t like it one bit, to no ones suprise. Sasuke suspected the problem wasn’t the music itself, but the foreign influence corrupting the youth. They’d been making the same speeches since the music first crept into the clan in the 80s. They probably wouldn't mind eletric guitars if it at least came from Konoha, even better if it was directly from clan. Most people in clan just ignored the elders when they started talking about it.

Vinyls and cassettes found in old attics or basements often ended up in Nanao’s possession. People figured it was better than throwing them away. Even Fugaku had once given him a stack of his old one. Itachi didn't speak to him for a week, saying how Fugaku obviously didn't love him as much as he loved Nanao.

The kids loved Nanao. Even Sasuke, who was constantly told to stay away from him by Itachi. He was the kind of older cousin who brought foreign candy, let them strum his electric guitar— after threatening them with public execution if they break it.

Sasuke leaned forward and pointed at the magazine, “Who’s that?”

“That’s the lead singer.”, Nanao said, turning the page so Sasuke could get a better look, “Back in the 80s, he was all hard metal. Then the 90s hit, and he went all grunge and sad and shit.”

“Is he still alive?”, one girl asked.

“Hah! … No.”, Nanao replied flatly, “He died of overdose in ’96.”

Akio stood one step behind him, his usual slight scowl in place, tho with Akio, it was hard to tell if he was angry or if that was just his face. He squinted at the eyeliner-wearing man in the picture.

“Hey, Nana… why’s that guy wearing eyeliner?”

“It’s a style, Akio.”, Nanao took a slow drag of his cigarette. Smoke curled into the warm afternoon air, “One day you’ll understand.”

“I think it looks good.”, Sasuke said with a shrug.

“Of course you do.”, Akio scoffed.

Nanao smiled lazily, “See, y’all? Sasuke gets it. You’re gonna get my collection when I die.”

One girl snorted, “No surprise Sasuke gets it. My dad says his mom and dad were into that stuff back in the 80s.”

Sasuke flushed, “Well, it’s not my fault, Kizuna!”

Nanao chuckled, a low sound in his throat, and Sasuke glared at him before crossing his arms.

“Nana, how come you’re all happy today? Last week you were ready to bite someone’s head off because you didn’t get those concert tickets.”

“What? I’m not allowed to be happy anymore?”, Nanao grinned, smoke still trailing from the corner of his mouth.

“You are.”, Genta’s voice cut in as he pushed his way through the crowd, “But you didn’t even get mad when Akio broke one of your cassettes. You were smiling ever since you came back from last clan meeting. Does your mood have something to do with that?”

“Well, bless ya' heart, Genta. You are as smart as your cousin brags you are.” Nanao shot Akio a smirk. “Somethin' did happen, and yeah, it has to do with the clan.”

“What was it?”, Sasuke asked, curious.

Nanao leaned back against the wall, a grin tugging at his mouth, “Can’t tell. Top clan secret.”

“Something to do with Uncle Ren?”, Genta asked.

Akio immediately perked up.

“Bingo.”, Nanao said, flicking his cigarette away, “I was there with some friends. It was intense. Ren somehow made it both worse and better at the same time.”

“Of course he did!”, Akio puffed up, pride glowing on his face.

“But not a chance I’ll tell you what it was. Captain says not a word to anyone under twelve or outside the clan.”

The kids groaned in unison. Then their eyes collectively turned toward Sasuke, who instantly wished for the ground to open up and swallow him.

“What? I didn’t tell my dad to do that.”, Sasuke said defensively.

Nanao crouched beside a battered cardboard box at his feet. He began digging through cassettes, the sound of rattling plastic cases catching everyone’s attention. From the box, he pulled two tapes. One was labeled ''Best of Кино́'' in neat black letters. The other read ''Best of Агата Кристи''.

Sasuke blinked. Nanao was known for collecting cassettes, not for giving them away, especially not to kids. His gifts were rare and usually pried from him on birthdays, accompanied by him holding back tears as if he was giving his child away.

When Sasuke didn’t reach for them, Nanao set the tapes in his lap. Sasuke’s small hands cupped them carefully, like they were gold bars. He looked up, confusion flickering in his eyes.

“Take ’em.”, Nanao said, “And don’t think I’m doing this out of the kindness of my heart. Consider it a premature apology for what I’m about to say.”

The group fell silent, every gaze fixed on them.

Sasuke’s grip on the cassettes tightened. He braced himself.

“Your brother.”, Nanao said, “Is a son of a bitch and one of the biggest bootlickers I’ve seen in this clan.”

A few kids murmured in agreement. It wasn’t exactly a shocking opinion. Itachi was outspoken about what he believed, and while that was admirable to some, it was exhausting to others — especially when those beliefs boiled down to “follow the orders.”

Sasuke’s eyes dropped to the tapes, avoiding everyone else’s gaze.

Akio’s eyebrow twitched, “Well, you don’t have to be such a bitch about it, Nana. Say it to Itachi’s face, not Sasuke’s.”

“I’m not saying it to offend him. Shit, not even to be rude, even if it comes off that way.”, Nanao replied, “I’m telling him to be wary.”

“He’s my brother.”, Sasuke muttered, finally meeting Nanao’s eyes, “Not some stranger. I don’t need to be afraid of him.”, His voice was steady for most of it, but it cracked on the last word.

Akio leaned in, hands on his hips, “See what you did? Now he’s gonna cry.”

Nanao grimaced and looked away with a sigh.

“I’m not gonna cry!”, Sasuke protested, his voice cracking again.

A girl, maybe three years older than Sasuke, poked her head through the circle, “Sasuke, I just remembered, your dad said he needs you for… something.”, Her eyes flicked to Akio.

Akio nodded knowingly, “Yeah, you should go. Me and Genta will walk with you.”

“Why didn’t my dad just tell me himself?”, Sasuke asked.

Nanao groaned liked it pained him to be part of the act, “He probably forgot. Now get going.”

Before Sasuke could argue, Akio grabbed his shoulder and steered him toward the street, Genta falling into step beside them. Behind them, the smell of cigarette smoke and faint echoes of laughter clung to the air.

They walked a few houses in silence, the only sound the crunch of gravel under their sandals. The air still smelled faintly of Nanao’s cigarette smoke, clinging to Sasuke’s clothes like an unwanted souvenir.

Sasuke kept his head down, watching his feet. He told himself he wasn’t upset — just annoyed. Nanao was an idiot. And loud. And wrong. But the words stuck anyway, buzzing in the back of his head like a trapped fly. He himself had to admit Itachi was very open about putting Konoha above anything else.

Akio glanced sideways, then sighed through his nose, “Don’t listen to him. Nana’s been hit in the head too many times.”

“Yeah.”, Genta added. “And probably dropped as a baby. Twice.”

Sasuke gave a small huff that might have been a laugh if it weren’t so thin, “I know he’s wrong. He’s just… stupid.”

“Exactly.”, Akio said, nodding hard, as if stamping the point down would make it truer, “Stupid people say stupid things. Nothing new there.”

But even as Akio spoke, Genta’s sharp eyes caught the way Sasuke’s shoulders hunched just a little more, how his hand came up to swipe quickly at his cheek. Sasuke tried to play it off, rubbing his nose like there was an itch.

“Hey...” Genta said softly.

Sasuke’s head snapped up at Genta, “What?”, His voice was defensive, but his eyes were glassy.

“Nothing.”, Genta said, smiling faintly as sun replected on his glasses, “Just thinking… Nana’s never given me anything. You must be special.”

That earned him a faint blush, “It’s just cassettes.”

“Yeah, but from Nana? That’s basically his version of a hug,”, Akio said, “If you were anyone else, he’d give you a rock and tell you to choke on it.”

That finally got a real laugh out of Sasuke — a short one, but real.

Akio slung an arm around his shoulders. “Forget it, Sasuke. You know your brother better than he does. Way better.”

''Yeah.'', Genta nodded, ''And if anything you at least got new cassettes.''

Sasuke looked down at two cassettes in his hands, ''I guess...But he could've at least give me some in language I understand.''

''Good bass line and guitar riffs transcend the limitations of language Sasuke.'', Genta shrugged.

Sasuke let out a small snort, ''Yeah, yeah, we'll see about that. See ya' tomorrow.''

They left Sasuke at his door, watching him disappear inside with the cassettes still tucked under his arm. The moment the door slid shut, Akio blew out a sharp breath through his nose.

“Tch. Nanao’s got a big mouth.”, he muttered, starting down the street.

“You say that like he was wrong.”, Genta said in hushed tone, falling into step beside him.

Akio’s jaw twitched, “He’s not wrong. I just don’t see why he needed to say itout loud. Esspecially to Sasuke's face.”

“I guess. But Sasuke idolizes Itachi. Maybe it's good if he gets image shaken a bit.”, Genta said looking up at bright sky, hands shoved deep in his pockets.

“Sasuke's a kid. More than you and I are.”, Akio’s tone sharpened, “And Itachi’s all he’s got as an older brother. You tell a kid his only brother’s not worth trusting, you’re asking for trouble.”

Genta tilted his head, “Yeah I suppose he is a bit more naive. But somone was bound not to sing praises about Itachi in front of him.”

Akio didn’t answer right away. He kicked at a loose stone in the path, sending it skittering ahead of them, “Look…  You don't have siblings so you don't get it. And no, I do not count, we just live together. I'm your cousin not your brother. Deserving or not, if somone said the same about my sister. I would be angry too.''

''But he can only hear good stuff about Itachi for a bit longer. It all good while clan and Village are on same side. But what when it comes to the point where they don't agree...If we aren't already there...''

“Then someone gets screwed. And it won’t be the village. It never is. I'm not dumb I know that. But we don't need to spoon feed Sasuke that his brother isn't a saint.'', Akio finished. 

They walked in silence for a moment, passing the quiet rows of houses. A few paper lanterns swayed in the warm evening breeze.

Genta finally spoke again, “You think Sasuke’s gonna figure it out on his own?”

Akio’s face softened just slightly. “I honestly hope not. Means something bad happened.”

Genta didn’t push further. He just nodded once, eyes thoughtful, as the two of them headed toward the end of the street to their house where their families awaited.

Chapter Text

It was only three weeks until summer holidays and end of this Academy year. Rain became even more rare. Sun was almost always shining. Days became longer and people were out until late night.

Sasuke was frowning in front of mirror as his mother put another Kanzashi into his hair. While traditional clothes were suffocating on him and too warm.

Today was the Uchiha holiday, date of clan's founding. And with that, it was natural everyone was expected to look their best during celebration. With no exceptions. That meant Sasuke and other kids had to put numerous Kanzashi in his hair. As to honour Izuna Uchiha. While that was Sasuke's great-grandfather, the boy couldn't help but be annoyed he had to wear Kanzashi because of him. In other clan's it was just girls, but ofcourse Uchiha had to be special.

"Ow, ow, ow is that enough already, it already rings when I move my head.", Sasuke complained.

"Just another one.", Mikoto mumbeled taking another Kanzashi, "This used to be my brother's. Obviously he won't need it any time soon, so you'll wear it."

"If you ever see Takumi, tell him I won't ever forgive him for not taking these things with him.", Sasuke grimaced when Mikoto stuck another Kanzashi into his hair.

"Here.", she said turning him over to face her.

"I look like disco ball.", Sasuke mumbeled glaring at her.

"Then we are matching.", she said pointing to her own shiny head.

Sasuke let out a grunt when Mikoto started putting sunscreen on his face. He always hates that sticky feeling of it. And horrible smell.

"God forbid boy gets a tan.", Fugaku snorted walking in.

Sasuke looked up at his father, happy with his comment, but then he frowned when he noticed his father was only wearing one Kanzashi. And only to get his hair to stay back. You probably wouldn't even know it was Kanzashi if he weren't an Uchiha.

"Why aren't you wearing Kanzashi like rest of us?", Sasuke said putting his hands on his hips.

"Because I don't like the feeling of things being stuck in my hair.", Fugaku said simply.

Sasuke's eye twiched immediately, "Neither do I!? Why do I have to wear them then?!"

"Because you happen to be related to Madara and Izuna Uchiha.", Fugaku shrugged with smirk, "That means you have to worry about traditions more than I do."

That was true, Fugaku wasn't related to Izuna or Madara even tho he was clan head. After Madara left the village, Izuna's son, Sasuke's grandpa, was too young to be clan head. So Fugaku's father, who was Madara's student was chosen as clan head until Izuna's son gets old enough. After he grew of age, Izuna's son didn't want to be clan head. So Fugaku's father stayed a clan head and eventually Fugaku became one.

Ironically Fugaku's family was one of only ones in clan that didn't have blood connections to Izuna or Madara. Origins of Jinzen Uchiha, Fugaku's father, were kind of muddy. But he was himself pretty sure he was mixed since he looked different than most Uchihas. Or at least something like that. No one was really sure.

Sasuke looked at him, feeling betrayed, "Now I'm happy grandpa sends you letters of complaints every three days."

"I'd ruffle your hair, unfortunately fence on your head is stopping me.", Fugaku said leaning against the wall.

Mikoto chuchled fixing her hair in mirror, "Leave him be Fugaku. He is right, you should be wearing more Kanzashi."

"I prefer my neck not hurting Mikoto.", Fugaku scoffed as Fugaku glared at him.

"Did you and your brothers ever wear them? I don't really remember any of you at celebrations.", she said still looking at herself in mirror.

"We did once, Reikan ended up in fight with some other kid and stabbed him with Kanzashi. Then Mansen stabbed him. Then I stabbed Mansen, and Souma stabbed me— eh it was a whole ordeal and we weren't allowed to wear them after that.", Fugaku rolled his eyes.

Mikoto nodded, "One of tamer stories you've told me."

Sasuke blinked up at his father then turned to Mikoto, "Mom...Why is he allowed to tell me when I'm grounded when he acted like that?"

"Life isn't fair Sasuke.", Mikoto shrugged turning around.

"I noticed that.", he looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.

Itachi came down the stairs with frown and his head ringing with every step, "I look like an idiot."

Sasuke put his arms behind his back and smiled, "Then you finally reflect your soul."

Mikoto raised her eyebrows, "You're going too? I thought since Shisui—y'know...That you wouldn't go."

Itachi sighed walking up to them, "Yeah I know, I'm not going. I'll visit Shisui's grave today. Since no one will be around..."

Itachi rarely visited Shisui's grave. Shisui's family believed Itachi killed him and made it clear to Mikoto and Fugaku they didn't want Itachi close to Shisui's tombstone. Saying how Itachi didn't deserve to even utter his name.

So Itachi only visited his grave when no one else was around. And since everyone today would be at th Center of the clan, he had the possibility of going.

"Oh honey...", Mikoto said putting a hand on his shoulder, "Fine, but you could join us later?"

"Maybe...", Itachi said looking at the floor.

Sasuke looked at them both. Thinking to himself about what Nanao said back a few weeks. About how Itachi was a bootlicker or whatever, and sure, Itachi had his flaws. But Sasuke could never hate him. That was his brother. He shouldn't be wary of him, Itachi would never hurt him.

"Go to graveyard via northern route, no one is going to be there.", Fugaku said simply.

Itachi nodded at that. Biting the inside of his cheek. Other three exited the house. And he was left standing alone in hallway. They maybe said something more. But he didn't hear them, his mind was on something else.

One week...Only one more week . It was true he was going to Shisui's grave. But what he didn't mention is that he'll meet up with Madara while there. To once again go over the plan for the massacre.

He felt like such a failure. Looking his family in the eyes, smiling, laughing and talking to them, as if he won't kill them. In cold blood. In their sleep. As if he won't ruin Sasuke's life.

"It...It has to be done...", he said to himself quietly.

What else was he supposed to do? It was Danzo's order. Danzo knew what he was doing, he knew what was best for village. Probably even better than Hiruzen knew sometimes. And now that coup was in actual planning, Danzo had to act. It was his duty. His right.

And Itachi had the duty to take the order up and finish it. That is what he signed for when he was born into Konoha. To serve it until death, to always defend it. Even if it was against his own people. No matter how bloody his actions may be, they were necessary for Konoha. No matter what, the clan will be gone.

He exited the house. Sound of kanzashi clinking filling his ears with every step. He could hear sounds coming from inside the clan, and he walked in opposite direction. Northern route to the Uchiha graveyard required him to walk through a street of Yamanaka clan.

He didn't like entering different clans, he would always get stares and whispers about being Uchiha. Uchiha's weren't even allowed to be in different clans, so he had to be quick with this.

Itachi let out a sigh as he entered the Yamanaka clan, there were few people on the street—and they all immediately looked at him. As if they expected him. Some frowned, some shook their heads, and some looked away. And some simply stared at him.

His gaze was firmly on the ground. But he could feel their eyes on him, judging and asking why is he here. Why is an Uchiha in their clan? Dirtying their sacred ground with his feet. He could hear a few whispers saying something about him, maybe saying he came here to hypnotise them.

People were scared of him and he knew that. Even more so, he also knew they hated him and his clan simply for being alive. Uchiha's were clan of warriors, they were powerful there's no doubt about that. And that was honourable, but not in the eyes of village and it's people. They saw Uchiha's as dangerous.

Curse of hatred that Lord Second made necessary to be taught to Jounins made people afraid of Uchiha. Believing they could break at any moment. Because of that they didn't want Uchiha's in positions of power. They simply weren't fit for the job like that, a job that required only logical thinking.

Itachi didn't think Uchiha's were overtly emotional or that they loved and hated intensely. Personally he thought they were normal, and nothing more. Some were more emotional, some were more stoic, like everywhere. But who was he to question the theories of Second Hokage.

But regardless people galred at him as if he was a monster. And these—these were the people for who he had to kill his whole clan. To kill his mother and father, cousins, even Izumi, his crush, for. For the people that hated him simply breathing. They could never understand what it was for Uchiha. And they never cared anyway. If it was up to them, Uchiha's would already be long gone.

"Hey! Itachi! Wait!"

That brought him back from his thoughts. He turned around to see some little blonde girl run up to him. Yamanaka Ino, Itachi knew her, he saw her a few times when he came to pick Sasuke up from academy.

"You...What is it?", Itachi asked quietly, not wanting to put even more attention on himself. The last thing he needed was someone running in yelling at him for—hypnotising— a child with his eyes.

"You're Sasuke's older brother right?", Ino asked, Itachi nodded, "Can you tell me where he is?"

Itachi raised an eyebrow, "Why?", he wasn't suspicious of seven year old girl, but rather just courius.

Ino smiled, "I have to ask him sometimes very important, want to know what?"

"...Sure...",Itachi blinked looking around as if he'll get jumped. He wasn't even really focusing on Ino.

"I want to ask him if he'll be my boyfriend!", She beamed.

Itachi stopped dead in tracks and immediately bit his thounge so that he doesn't let out a laugh. He knew Sasuke was popular amongst the girls in his class, but not really to this extent.

"Ahh...I don't think he'll agree...", Itachi said with smile, holding down a laugh.

"Oh, why not?", Ino asked.

Itachi leaned down a bit so that he was closer to her, "Our dad told us we aren't allowed to date until we are war veterans like every other Uchiha. So I don't think Sasuke will agree."

"Aw, really? You aren't lying?", you could hear disappointment in Ino's voice.

Yes he was lying, "No. It's a sad reality.", Itachi glanced at people staring at him in the street, "You should probably go home now."

And so they parted their ways. By the time Itachi came to graveyard, a shadowy figure with a mask was already sitting on a tree.

Itachi ignored him, instead walking up to Shisui's grave and lightning a candle for his dead friend.

Fos last two months, Itachi wondered, would Shisui understand? The two were almost always on the same page. It was hard to imagine them disagreeing. But this was an extreme. To kill the Uchiha clan, or to let them raise a coup.

"Are you done crying?", Obito asked coming closer.

"Madara...", Itachi looked towards the man, "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

Obito shurgged, "That's not up to me to answer. Does it even matter now? You've already chosen what will happen, no?"

Itachi looked up at the sky. It seemed like his ancestors were looking down at him, and judging him. He was sourannded by their graves. But he felt as if he had no right to call them his. They belonged to someone who would put them first. Which is something Itachi won't do for the sake of the village. For the Will of Fire and greater good.

"Yes I did. And I won't change it now. I'll kill them.", the boys eyes and words were determined, but not prideful.

Obito just nodded, "Good, it would be pathetic if you changed your mind now."

"Madara...", Itachi looked at older man, "Why are you wearing Kanzashi too?", he pointed to Obito's head, which was decorated by expensive and numerous Kanzashi.

These were actually Obito's old Kanzashi. But he never wore them before because his hair was too short. Today he snuck into his old house and put them on properly for first time. He didn't really have a reason for it other than that he wanted to do it because he never had a chance. Years with Madara in a cave definitely didn't help with fact he was starved for something shiny.

"...None of your business...",he mumeld to Itachi.

Chapter Text

The wind was lightly brushing branches of the trees in the Uchiha district. There was chatter on the streets, gossip, debates, arguments, and even slight yelling. Some birds were standing on the roof and screeching. Sounds of kanzashi clinking echoed in the streets whenever someone tilted their head even slightly.

Mikoto was talking to a few of her cousins for the last half hour, and they changed about seven topics already. While Fugaku was sitting at this side with Sasuke. If you didn't know, you probably wouldn't guess he was a clan leader or even an Uchiha. Since he even got rid of the one Kanzashi he was wearing—he claimed the thing wanted to rip his hair from its roots. While Mikoto simply didn't have the strength to fight him.

Sasuke was sitting next to him, his head slightly leaned against his father's arm as if he'll fall asleep at any moment. He did even yawn a few times. But he was far from falling asleep. He couldn't do that when people around him were so loud; his head was heavy with jewelry. Plus, even if he fell asleep, either his dear mother or lovely friends would wake him up.

Sasuke's tiny fingers played with Fugaku's hand as if that was the most interesting thing in the world. And quite frankly, it's not like he had many options.

"Dad..." Sasuke sighed, "When can we go home?"

Fugaku let out a sigh of his own, "When your mother says so..."

The boy groaned, "That'll take forever. Why do we have to be here? We could be at home doing literally anything else."

"Because I was cursed by being born into a position of clan leader. And you had the joy of being my son," Fugaku said.

"Why didn't you put me up for adoption?" Sasuke mumbled while running his fingers over his father's hand again.

"Because your mother wouldn't let me."

Sasuke looked up at his father and narrowed his eyes at him. "I'll pretend that was sarcasm."

"Good, good..." Fugaku gave him an amused smile, or half of it.

Sasuke glanced at his mother, who was a few meters away, still chatting with her cousins. He always wondered where his mother got so much energy to talk with people. Or even stand next to them for a whole day. It was a mystery to Sasuke.

He, personally, couldn't do that. He could only hang out with Genta and Akio for a long time because he was used to them. But if he spent the whole day with them, he preferred it to be already planned. While his mother seemed to hang out with people on a whim. It was beyond his comprehension that she could just get a call to go out—and then actually go out. Couldn't be him in all honesty.

"Y'know..." Sasuke started, "Mom kinda reminds me of Itachi."

Fugaku raised an eyebrow. "In looks?"

Sasuke shook his head. "I meant as in he also goes out with no problem whenever they call him. No complaining or anything."

"To be fair, Sasuke, being called for a mission is not the same as being called for coffee," Fugaku said.

"Yeah, but he would also go out with no problems when Shisui, may he rest, asked him back in the day. Or that girlfriend of his."

Fugaku snorted, "Girlfriend, you say?"

Sasuke scowled slightly. "Well, I mean... Like technically. She's more of his crush than anything. At least from what I got. Her name is Izumi, I think."

Fugaku nodded. "I think I know her. He has a crush on her, you say?"

"Well yes, but you didn't hear that from me." He looked up at his dad.

"My mouth is shut," Fugaku said.

Sasuke smirked and let go of his hand. "You want to know who my crush is?"

His father looked down at him. "Give it a few years, Romeo."

"It's no one, because everyone gets on my nerves too much. But girls do seem to like it for some reason," Sasuke said.

"Oh, you poor thing," Fugaku said sarcastically while crossing his arms.

"You will never understand my struggle, Father." Sasuke shook his head dramatically.

"Shouldn't you go to find Akio and Genta so you can play or something?" Fugaku asked.

"Meh, they'll come here at some point; I don't have to try and find them. They'll come to me."

"Aren't you a friendship expert? I reckon you'll have problems with loneliness in the near future," Fugaku said, amused.

"Why would I have problems with loneliness? It's not like Genta and Akio are going anywhere."

Fugaku shrugged, "Fair point."

A comfortable silence stretched between the two. Chatter still surrounded them. Mikoto was still neck-deep in her own conversation. While Sasuke's thoughts traveled elsewhere as he watched people on the streets.

There was an old man without a leg, a war veteran; Sasuke knew him. He might look mean, but he was actually very kind and told Sasuke and other kids his war stories. Often with way more enthusiasm than their school books.

An old grandma who would tell them about the Warring States era and about Madara too, since she lived to see him. She was a very old woman with a lot of wrinkles. The only person her age was Sasuke's grandfather, who was in a retirement home.

His grandfather, Jinzen, was probably the oldest member of the clan alive. Around eighty-something. And yet he was actually still quite agile, even capable of some sparring. Since Sasuke does remember that the man would teach him a trick or two. He was Madara's student. Which helped him immensely when the time came to be picked as clan head—post Madara's departure and death. Still, none of that helped him when Fugaku sent him off to a retirement home across the border. But also, to be fair, that also didn't help Fugaku to get rid of him at all.

Sasuke furrowed his eyebrows as he looked across the street at the group of teens. Nanao was amongst them; they all looked pretty similar to each other, yet pretty different from the rest of the clan.

They were dressed in somewhat darker clothes. Black andon bakama that they held up with leather belts rather than traditional ones.Also leather boots—they claimed it was because it hurt more when they kicked someone with them. Which Sasuke believes and doesn't want to be a test subject. Their shirts were also black, but tight. Similar to ANBU ones, but with long sleeves. Over that, a haori that was either dark blue or red. And on its back it had the Uchiha emblem proudly displayed. Bigger than on usual clothes. They also wore necklaces of emblems. Some really bold ones had haori out of leather too. Still they, today, had kanzashi on their heads like the rest of the clan.

Sasuke looked up at Fugaku. "Are they allowed to dress like that?"

"Hm?" Fugaku looked at the group of teens. "Why wouldn't they?"

"Itachi says that it isn't appropriate for Shinobi," Sasuke says.

"It's just clothes. Who cares? It's a phase anyway. You'll have it too."

Sasuke frowned, "No, I won't. I won't have any phases."

"Mhm..." Fugaku gave him a pitiful look. "At the very least you'll listen to the same music these guys do. And that's on the very least."

"Itachi says they just want to look edgy," Sasuke said.

"Yeah, probably. But it's not like your brother's better. Or that anybody in this clan was better or became better."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Well, nobody older dresses like that. Except for a few metalheads."

"Let it go, Sasuke. The music is good no matter the age.Besides, you can't tell me you don't like how they look. You're 'edgy' yourself," Fugaku sighed.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes a little. "...Maybe... But just a little!" Sasuke looked at his father's face, then back at the teens. "Did you dress like that too?"

"The eighties were... quite the years. I was mostly in military uniform, though. The third war was still on. I did wear boots, though; they were efficient in breaking someone's bone," Fugaku explained.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "And how was war?"

His father looked down at him. "Not nice, I can tell you that. Blood, mud, screams, and death. But I would also be a liar if I said it wasn't exciting a lot of times."

"Iruka Sensei says there's no winner in war; I suppose that's true? Huh? "Especially since the third one ended in agreement," Sasuke said, looking at the sky.

"Yeah..." Fugaku snorted, "Sounds like something the winner would say."

"...But we didn't win..." Sasuke said innocently.

"Yes, yes, we did. Konoha came out of the war as one of the superpower nations. Iwagakure came out of it with half its population gone and land empty. We might not have one on paper. But in reality we did," Fugaku said.

"But isn't that a good thing?" Sasuke asked, holding his dad's arm again.

"Depends on who you ask. Ask anyone else; it's great. Ask Uchiha's, not so much. In that war we showed immense potential. We were first on the front lines and the strongest soldiers." Fugaku sighed, "And for that we were only more hated by the village because that made us dangerous. If someone is strong, that means they might be capable of taking over."

Sasuke bit his cheek. "We didn't learn about that...or even hear about it that way..."

"Of course you didn't. Winners write history, Sasuke," Fugaku's voice didn't have any malice in it, or even anger.

"But Iruka Sensei says that isn't true," Sasuke said.

"Mhm, sounds like something a winner would say," Fugaku snorted.

"Then how do you know truth?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

Fugaku shrugged, "You don't. News lies, and so do books, politicians, and historians. We'll never know the truth if someone decides we don't need it."

"Well, that's depressing." Sasuke leaned back against the wall, his kanzashi clinking. "It isn't even fair; someone who didn't do something bad will be remembered as evil just... because," he frowned.

Fugaku smiled a little at Sasuke's words, "Well, it's better to be remembered as evil than to be completely forgotten."

"I think I'd turn in my grave if that happened to me," Sasuke scoffed.

"Look at it this way, it doesn't really matter if someone is remembered as the devil himself. In one hundred to two hundred years after his death, his evil will be forgotten. And he'll be treated like any other historical figure," the man said, looking down at his son.

"Do you think even Madara will be seen like that?" the boy's interest was awakened a little.

Fugaku nodded, "Sure, why not? It might need some more years. But with time, he'll be just another one of many historical figures. In fact, I'm pretty sure he'll be respected even as a Shinobi prodigy. He's already treated like that amongst Uchiha."

"Then it seems worse to be forgotten than to be hated," Sasuke said quietly.

The boy looked at his father again. "But I'd still be angry if I was remembered that way. Even if not forever."

"Who wouldn't?" Fugaku snorted.

Before Sasuke could answer, three people came up to them. More specifically, Akio, Genta, and Ren.

Genta was looking like his usual self. By that I mean he looked like he wanted to be literally anywhere else but amongst so many people. He wasn't shy. He just didn't like people. And, more importantly, he looked like he also wasn't a fan of wearing a head full of kanzashi.

Ren looked like his regular self, if not a little more annoyed, as he held Akio by the back of his haori like he was a misbehaving cat.

And Akio...Looked more miserable than usual. Even crying. Sasuke would have been concerned if it was anyone else crying. But it being Akio, it was certainly not about something actually worth crying over. Akio was not crying when he fell from the tree and broke his leg. But he was crying when watching cartoons.

"You started beating your kids or something?" Fugaku said, looking at Akio, then at Ren.

Ren shook Akio a little. "...I—I—Ivan Dra—Drago lost to that—to that stupid—other guy," the boy mustered through tears, and Genta took a deep breath.

Fugaku fought the urge to laugh at the boy's face. "Ah, Rocky Four, I see." Ren just nodded.

"That whole movie is just pro-Land of Sand propaganda..." Akio mumbled.

Fugaku looked at Ren. "No DNA test needed. The boy could only be yours."

"Aren't I lucky..." Ren said.

Sasuke moved to sit on Fugaku's lap as Ren took his prior seat.

"You're not wearing any kanzashi?" Ren asked with a frown.

Fugaku wrapped an arm around Sasuke and shook his head. "Why are you acting as if that's anything new?"

"Happy bastard..." Ren mumbled, then looked at Akio again. "Will you stop crying already?"

"No!" Akio exclaimed, wiping his nose.

"Don't wipe it with your sleeve!" his dad yelled.

Fugaku and Sasuke rolled their eyes as the two started to argue. While Genta just sat and stared away into the distance, already used to all of this. It was a daily thing for them.

"Alright, alright, Ren, let the boy live." Fugaku turned to Sasuke. "You three go play with other kids."

"I saw them by the river. Let's go," Genta said, pulling the other three away.

As three little figures disappeared behind some corner on the street. Running off to find their kin. While Akio held back tears like a brave soldier.

"How much until the coup?" Ren lowers his voice.

"Two months or so..." Fugaku also lowered his voice.

"Hn, longer than I'd like it..." Ren mumbled.

"If you survived up until now, you'll survive two more months. After that I can't guarantee it.", Fugaku scoffed.

"Any talks with elders? Or Hiruzen?"

Fugaku rolled his eyes, "Yeah, it would be an understatement to say nothing came out of it. The same things have been said for the last seven years."

"Oh, I'm so surprised. Tell me if they pulled the Curse of Hatred card so I can cross it out of my bingo list.", Ren frowned while Fugaku just nodded.

"I don't think there was a single meeting, ever since the creation of the Leaf, where they didn't pull it.", Fugaku snorted.

"I want them to be hanged like our rogues get hanged.", Ren mumbled.

"Shut up, Ren. The last thing we need is for someone who isn't supposed to, to hear you. After that you can kiss the cement floor of prison and suck up to judges.", Fugaku sighed.

"I'd much rather be publicly burned than suck up to any judge who was already paid."

Chapter Text

The trio sat together in grass by the river. Throwing small rocks and disturbing the water's flow. They didn't really talk in the moment. Other kids in the Uchiha clan were running around the area. Playing all sorts of games.

Akio has long stopped crying over the movie, and his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. Over the river. Where his eyes were. Maybe? Who could know? His blue eyes pierced the air, as if he saw something or someone. But there was nothing there.

Sasuke sat lazily, his eyes looking at the clear sky. Not a single cloud around. The sun was warming his face in a way that felt like a loving hug. While grass under him felt like feathers.

Genta took off his glasses while they were sitting there. Whenever he was having a break, he always took them off because if not—he'd see something and focus on it. Instead of just taking a break. Birds around them were chirping some unrecognizable song.

"You heard that Iruka Sensei signed me up for possible Genin this year?" Akio turned to Sasuke. His voice was less rough than usual, surprisingly soft. Maybe it was the weather that affected it? Maybe this was the first time it was quiet enough for Sasuke to hear it.

Sasuke nodded "Yeah, I overheard it from other kids. Ain't that a good thing?" Sasuke's voice wasn't loud like he would usually talk to his friends. It was just barely above a whisper, not wanting to disturb the peace.

Akio looked over the river again, the noise of water filling the silence—with occasional words of their peers coming to their ears. Akip squinted his eyes, looking ahead again.

"I don't want to die." he said flatly "They want me on the battlefield because I already have the Sharingan awakened. I might act proud and mighty. But I'm not dumb, I'm eight, I don't have a chance against grown Shinobi."

Genta moved his eyes to see Akio, or at least the shape of Akio he saw without his glasses.

"Then what are you going to do? Fake an injury?" Genta snorted "Get over the self-pity, Akio. We are Uchihas. They only use us as a meat shield anyway. And then take our eyes. Look at that Kakashi guy, flaunting the Sharingan like it's his."

"Don't talk like that..." Sasuke said gently "Hatake didn't steal it. His friends gave it to him... It's only fair he keeps it."

"No it isn't." Genta scoffed, putting his glasses back on "I won't act like he's a bad Shinobi. But it isn't his, nor will it ever be. Half the Uchiha have stronger Sharingan than him. Yet they aren't accepted into ANBU—or anything that holds the slightest bit of power. Want to know why?"

Sasuke stared at him silently. And while he didn't turn his head, Akio did start to listen too. Genta continued.

"Because they hate us, and they are scared of us. Why? We are stronger than them. Even without Sharingan, we have the best-trained Shinobi in the village. Yet not a single one has been promoted to even a squad leader. They send the weaker ones to the worst missions. When those die, they just take their eyes and give them to someone who blindly follows Konoha."

"Don't say it like that, Genta. It's not those people's fault for getting the Sharingan." Sasuke said softly, looking back up at the sky.

Genta's brown eyes flared a bit "Yes it it. They don't say a word when they get it. The biggest pain they experience is actually transplanting the eyes. I'm not expecting them to say no to Hokage, I'm expecting them to not act like it's normal—or that they earned those eyes."

Akio took a deep breath "You don't see Hyuga getting their eyes taken after their death for Byakugan and military purposes."

"Exactly..." Genta mumbled "And it's not a sign of respect like they say. When my dad was killed for being a rogue. They hated him, they hate him still. Yet they use his eyes. Every day I walk past a stranger, a stranger who has the same eyes that looked at me. And now they don't even recognize me." He took a few grass strands in his hand "I don't care what their reason is. Sharingan was given by whatever deity exists to Uchiha, not them."

Akio threw a rock into the river. Silence falling over the three boys. It was no longer peaceful, but it wasn't uncomfortable either. Even if the topic was dark. It felt known—safe even. No matter what they said, it didn't really matter. None would leave because of it. No matter how cursed the world might be, they had each other. No matter how badly they were treated, they weren't going anywhere.Sitting here in the grass by the lake, it felt almost holy, as if it was their last time.

"And what will you do if you get promoted to Genin? Akio?" Sasuke asked quietly.

Akio shurgged, he didn't seem tense about the situation. If anything, he felt at peace with it. He looked at Sasuke, a smile on his face and sun against his skin. Kanzashi in his hair shining in sunlight.

"I'll win." his blue eyes were unusually soft "Every time. And I won't die. Not yet. That would be an extraordinarily boring end."

"Yes, biggest worry here. That the way you'll die is too boring." Genta scoffed, looking at the ground.

Akio looked at the sky "We'll all die at some point. Might as well go out in an interesting way. Don't you agree, Sasuke?"

Sasuke looked at the stones in river "I'd much rather not even think about death yet. We are too young for that anyway."

Akio smirked a bit "If I do get promoted to Genin, and die. You better live for me Sasuke." He glanced at his cousin "And since I reckon Genta will die of sadness after I kick the bucket. You'll have to live for him too."

"Oh why don't you write a will too?" Genta rolled his eyes.

"Maybe I will..." the blue-eyed boy shrugged "But either way, you promise me that, Sasuke? Right?"

Sasuke looked up, his eyes soft, in an almost sad way. Everybody knew Sasuke hated all that talk of death and killing. But he couldn't escape it. Death is inevitable. It comes whenever and to whoever. Mortality is something all living beings have together. Rich or poor, evil or good, strong or weak, we all end up under dirt. Our bodies becoming nothing. For from dust we were created and to dust we'll return. Some might live long, but even they can't escape the end. And Sasuke knew all this, even if he never said it out loud.

"I don't like that you talk like you'll die tomorrow..." Sasuke mumbled quietly.

"And I didn't ask you that? Didn't I?" Akio said, with no malice in his voice.

"Then alright..." the boy sighed "If you die, or both of you, I'll live for you."

Akio smiled, and even Genta's eyes softened.

"And don't worry. We'll meet again someday. No matter when we die. What would be the point of life if death was truly the end? It would be utterly boring." Akio said.

"Yeah, boring... But even I agree with Sasuke, Akio. You don't need to talk like you'll die tomorrow." Genta sighed.

"Jealous I didn't ask you to live for me?" Akio smirked.

Genta snorted "Just you hope."

"I'll save you a place next to my grave. You'll be next to me for eternity." Akio looked at his cousin.

"Sounds like hell..." Sasuke smiled, and the other two chuckled.

Everything seemed so calm. Even the light wind seemed so, so, so calm and loving. Like it wanted to hear their words and remember their faces. Smiles, laughs, and eyes, probably whispers too.

The moment felt holy, unrepeatable, final. You'd think that this was it. What else was there? When this moment was so pretty to all three. There was no need for anything else, or anyone else. It was perfect. A moment that turned the biggest sinner into a saint, if even just for a moment.

They didn't know why it felt like that, or what would come after it. Oh they had no idea what would come after it. They were happy, why would anything change that? Such innocent hands, that were yet to touch another man's blood. Yet to revive a kiss. There was a whole world around them, and it felt unnecessary. When all they needed was a warm embrace of peace.

And they weren't the only ones who felt like that. The whole clan felt like that. No matter if they were loud or silent. They were happy, all in their own ways. Even the Uchiha who were out of the village, who were rogues, criminals, maybe even murderers. A wave of sincere peace. One that felt impossible. Who knows if most even noticed? But they felt it. And they couldn't possibly ignore it like it wasn't there. Who knows how many cracked a smile that day?

Only one wasn't smiling. Not feeling it. It was a boy, who was sitting alone in the graveyard. Surrounded by the ghosts of his blood. Blood—he tried to escape so hard, but never could. No matter what he did, biology caught up to him. He couldn't run away from it. And he never will.

When he spills the blood of his kin, he may spill as many tears as he wants. But he won't get rid of guilt. It will always be there. Eating him from inside, crawling at his heart. He may act as cold as he wants. It doesn't matter, he'll know—he'll feel the truth. And he'll feel it every living moment he has. His brain might tell him he did the right thing. But souls he took will tell him otherwise. The screams will echo in his ears.

Now he's but a boy. But a boy who thinks he knows best. Stubborn as a mule, not believing anything else but his way—or rather choosing to deliberately ignore it.His blood belongs to his people, but his loyalty lies far away from them. Actively against his kin.

The end was coming, so abrupt and unwarranted that it would make you think it wasn't planned. They'd think it was tragic, which it was, but not for the reason they'll think. It won't be tragic because many die, but because brother turned against brother, son against father, cousin against cousin. Not because he was evil and insane. But because he thought he was more righteous than them, he thought he could save them. That his non-morality can save them from the shame of being named traitors.

By the end of the week, the boy will be gone, and one day a killer will awake before dawn. To bring an end to his people's peace so others can live it.

Who knows if they'll ever forgive him? Who knows if he'll ever forgive himself? They might understand. He might understand. But understanding doesn't mean approval. Sympathy doesn't equal forgiveness. Forgiveness is a hard bargain. One that Itachi already decided he lost.

And so the birds sang, the sun shone, people were talking, and children were laughing. The village was deep into its own business. Not aware of what awaits them. Not aware of bloody rain that will be spilled for their sake. And even if they knew, they wouldn't care. No matter how hard they acted like it. Deep in their heart, there wasn't an inch of care.

The Uchiha knew that, but they didn't mention it. They weren't liked, loved, or cared for. Not by anyone except themselves. And they were fine by it. They had themselves. In their heads, the future awaited. And it was theirs. Return to the old glory they once had. Once when they ruled. When they lived like the highest form of humanity. And that was stripped from them. Turning them into something under a human. On which people blamed everything. They couldn't see their own faults, so it was easier to point at someone who was once—maybe even still is—more powerful than them. And blame them.

But none of those tensions would last long. An end to them would come. But a new struggle would be born. And one boy will carry it all. A boy who, right now, couldn't even comprehend death to its fullest extent.

Chapter Text

Sasuke dragged his small feet down the narrow street, his short legs moving slower than usual. The afternoon sun had barely started its climb, but the village already hummed with life. Smoke spiraled lazily from chimneys, and the distant clatter of children playing and merchants calling out their wares filled the air. Birds flitted between rooftops, and the faint scent of freshly baked bread wafted from the bakery near the market square. It should have been a pleasant afternoon—but Sasuke couldn’t enjoy a single thing.

He had to go to the Academy. And not just the regular Academy hours. No, Itachi had somehow signed him up for some extra practice without bothering to tell anyone. Not a word. Not a hint. Just “be ready” and leave the rest to Sasuke’s imagination. The other Uchiha children were at home, probably laughing and playing together, enjoying their freedom. And here he was, being dragged into a practice he didn’t even need.

Sasuke’s small hands clenched at his sides. He didn’t understand why this was necessary. This extra practice, meant for kids who were falling behind, was clearly not meant for him. He picked up Jutsu quickly, faster than almost anyone else, and even when he didn’t, Itachi could always show him. If Itachi was busy, Fugaku was the obvious next—sometimes the first—person to ask. And if even he wasn't there, Mikoto was always available. 

The thought that there wouldn’t be any other Uchiha children there gnawed at him. Sasuke hated the idea of being alone among strangers. The academy had plenty of other kids, sure—but none he could really talk to. Certainly not Kiba. The boy had yelled at him last week about controlling rats with his eyes, and Sasuke had spent an entire day replaying it in his head, fuming. He definitely wasn’t going to be friends with someone like that.

Sasuke’s little frown deepened as he walked past the familiar sights of the village. The cobblestones underfoot were smooth from years of constant foot traffic. He passed the fountain near the market square, where water sparkled in the sunlight and tiny fish darted beneath the surface. The wooden shutters of the houses were painted in bright colors, a cheerful contrast to his sour mood, and laundry flapped in the gentle breeze, catching glimpses of a family’s afternoon life. Everything looked so ordinary, so normal, yet it made him feel even more trapped.

Itachi had been acting strange all week, too. Even their parents had noticed. Sasuke couldn’t understand it—Itachi was usually so predictable, so perfectly composed. But lately, he seemed… distracted, distant, almost… impatient with him. And the thought struck Sasuke with a pang of irritation: maybe Itachi wanted him out of the house. Or the clan. Or… somewhere else. He shivered at the idea, though he didn’t want to admit it aloud.

Part of him was tempted—just a little—to agree with some of the things Nanao had said about Itachi. Maybe Itachi’s behavior wasn’t as innocent as it seemed. But only tempted. Only in small moments. Mostly, Sasuke still believed that Itachi was his brother, his guide, and his example. And yet, the thought lingered, heavy in the pit of his stomach, as he trudged along the sunlit streets of Konoha toward the Academy.

He was basically at the entrance of the academy when he heard a voice a little behind him. Somewhat surprised, with a somewhat humorous tone in it.

“Hey! Uchiha, you’re going there?!”

He looked up. A girl with short, messy blonde hair was leaning against a fence, grinning at him like he was a circus clown who accidentally got here.

Naoya Okomari. The girl he thought was a guy for weeks until Akio told him and Genta otherwise. Rude. Always skipping classes. Always saying stuff she wasn’t supposed to. Picking both verbal and physical fights. And now she was staring at him like he was the weird one.

“I have to,” Sasuke groaned, glaring at her.

Naoya snorted, “What, did the teachers finally decide you’re as dumb as the rest of us?”

Sasuke’s lips pressed tight. “No. My brother said I had to.”

“Ohhh.” She drew the sound out, mocking. “Big brother bossing you around, huh? Figures.” She shoved herself off the fence and strolled closer. “Are you really going to let him drag you around like a puppy on a leash?”

“And what are you even doing here?” Sasuke shot back. “Shouldn’t you be in there too? Or are you too scared to show up?”

Naoya smirked. “Nah. I just don’t care. Unlike you, I don’t need someone to hold my hand. And you're going to listen to him? Stay in a room with idiots for hours while they try the same Jutsu over and over again?"

"And you have a better suggestion?" the Uchiha boy scoffed.

"In fact I do," she said, crossing her arms. "I am going to skip it; you do as you please. Go have some fun, or die of boredom. The choice is yours."

Sasuke frowned a bit. He knew she was used to skipping classes. And she wouldn't get in trouble; if anything, her father probably encourages her in it. But it's safe to say Fugaku wasn't the same type of father. If he found out Sasuke skipped a class, the boy wouldn't step a foot outside the house for a week. 

On the other hand. Sasuke couldn't act like skipping these classes wasn't sounding very appealing. It's not like he needed them. And Itachi didn't even ask their parents about it. He just woke up Sasuke this morning and sent him out. So he technically wouldn't go against them. 

“You're suggesting that I skip too?” he asked quietly.

Naoya grinned wiser. "Yeah, genius, that's what I'm saying. What? It's not like you'll learn anything here.”

Sasuke shrugged a bit. "I don't know... My dad wouldn't be happy if I did that. He doesn't like me going to places outside the clan area, really."

"Your dad's a head of the police. Trust me, he has bigger things to deal with. Will he really notice if you aren't in the academy?" She said.

Sasuke sighed, "You don't get what I'm saying. I'm not—okay, I am worried he'll find out. But if someone sees me in a different call, then my dad and mom will have to deal with elders of that clan. And if you haven't noticed, other clans don't like the Uchiha."

And that was true. It honestly was one of Sasuke's worries. He didn't want to get dragged back via village Shinobi, and neither did he want to get scolded by his parents. Even less grounded.

"Well, I'm going to the river in the forest; that isn't anyone's clan area. So you come with me if you're there, and no one will get to drag you back. It's no man's land," she said, leaning back a bit. 

Sasuke squinted his eyes at her. "Why are you even inviting me? We aren't exactly friends."

"Barely acquaintances Uchiha, acquaintances," she smiled, "but I'm a generous girl. My heart is made of candy and sparkles and what not. So I'm offering you a salvation from hours of torture. Take it or leave it." Naoya's voice was dripping with sarcasm, but a bit of truth too. Mainly in the offer part. They both knew she was talking shit when describing herself in a positive light. 

And they weren't friends. The only reason they talked was because Uzumaki sat in the desk between them. And had a knack for getting on their nerves. So there was some kind of alliance, not an official one, of completely ignoring Uzumaki and talking over him. But outside of that. Naoya and Sasuke really weren't friends. 

"If I go with you, I'll have to deal with people saying I like you and that you like me." Sasuke sighed, but he was more and. More tempted.

"You aren't all that, Uchiha, and I'm into taller guys. Which you aren't," she scoffed.

Sasuke frowned a bit. "Well—well, good. Because I'm into girls who don't break Iruka Sensei's window when he fails them."

She smirked, "Seems like I'm the only one you don't like then? I'm flattered."

"I reckon I should be flattered too? I'm probably the only person you didn't fight in class yet."

"The bar is low. Probably in hell," she shrugged. "Either way, we'll make sure no one sees us then."

"And if they see us?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"Then be prepared to hear that song about kissing in trees for a week or so," she shrugged. "Are you going with me or not?"

Sasuke looked at the academy, then back at her. "And what would we even do in the forest?"

"I was going to throw rocks at animals. You can do whatever you want. Hell! Drown in the river for all I care," Naoya said.

Sasuke's eye twitched. "Isn't that convincing?" he said sarcastically. 

"Well then you go and hang out with Naruto, Kiba, Choji, and other prominent class clowns. I'm sure that's way better," she spat as she turned around to start walking away.

Sasuke looked at the Academy again. He really didn't want to go. It was going to be so boring, and he knew that. The only problem about skipping was his parents finding out. If Sasuke loses their trust, they won't let him wander around without Itachi breathing down his neck for a month. 

But maybe he could escape that if he immediately admits it when he comes home. He says to his father he skipped. He says he's sorry, maybe drops a few tears—but to be fair that would probably come even if not planned. That way he'll still have their trust in telling them what he does. Yeah, he might not be allowed out for some time. But it would be a lighter punishment compared to if they find out themselves. 

Sasuke shook his head. 

"Okomari! "Wait, I'm going with you!" Sasuke yelled as he ran to her. 

She looked back at him and grinned. "Turns out you aren't a bitch, Uchiha, eh?"

Sasuke scoffed, "Oh, shut your mouth."

They veered off from the Academy, Naoya strutting like she owned the whole village while Sasuke trailed a few paces behind, glaring at her back. He already wondered if this was a mistake. The sound of kids gathering at the Academy courtyard faded behind them, replaced by the quieter buzz of cicadas and the occasional bark of a dog.

“You walk like a duck,” he muttered.

Naoya glanced over her shoulder with a grin. “Better than looking like one. Your hair’s so pointy, I bet crows try to land on it.”

Sasuke’s frown deepened. “At least people can tell I’m human. You look like a scarecrow someone threw in the trash.”

She laughed, loud and obnoxious, so that two old ladies carrying baskets looked over at them. “Good one! Did your brother write that for you? Or did Daddy finally let you think on your own?”

Sasuke’s face heated. “Shut up. At least my dad doesn't go around telling people the government does human experiments."

Naoya’s smile sharpened. “Ohhh, so you do listen when grown-ups whisper. Cute. They talk politics at the table while you sit there like a baby bird waiting for rice.”

He clenched his fists, scuffing his sandal against the packed dirt of the road. “You’re so annoying. No wonder nobody wants to sit with you in class.”

“No wonder?” she sneered. “I don’t want to sit with any of them either. Actually, do I look like I want them as friends even?”

Sasuke bent down, grabbed a rock, and whipped it into a ditch by the side of the road. It hit with a loud thunk. “At least I’m not dumb enough to fail half the time, and intentionally, mind you. We all know the only reason you fail them is because Iruka Sensi gets a worse score as a teacher.”

Naoya kicked into the same ditch, splashing muddy water across the path. It spotted Sasuke’s clean sandals. “Oops.” She smirked when he jumped back. “Looks like your precious sandals got dirty. Better cry about it to the clan elders.”

While her own legs were completely safe under the leather of black boots. The nerve, Sasuke thought.

Sasuke’s eye twitched. “You’re annoying.”

“And you’re boring.”

They crossed through a busier street, merchants shouting over crates of fruit and fish. A cart rolled by, creaking on old wheels. Naoya snatched an apple from a stand when the vendor’s back was turned, biting into it

with a crunch loud enough for Sasuke to hear.

“You just stole that.”

“No shit, Sherlock.” She spoke around her mouthful. “You want me to get you one too?” The question was surprisingly genuine, but Sasuke shook his head, and she shrugged, biting the apple again.

Sasuke sighed, “No wonder you never have any friends.”

She tossed the apple to the side of the road. “Trust me, it's intentional.”

The streets thinned, houses spaced wider apart, until finally the forest loomed ahead. Cicadas buzzed louder now, and sunlight broke into dappled patches over the dirt path. Birds darted between branches, startled by Naoya swinging a stick she’d picked up, slicing it through the air like a sword.

“You’d probably lose to this stick,” she said, jabbing it toward his chest.

Sasuke slapped it away with his hand. “At least I wouldn’t lose to Naruto. Oh wait—you did,” he smirked a bit.

Naoya narrowed her eyes. "Hm... Alright, I'll give it to you; you do know how to hit where it hurts."

He smiled. "Thanks, I've been trying."

She held the glare a long moment, then

 just snorted and stomped ahead, stick forgotten behind her in the dirt. "Whatever, I wasn't even trying to beat him anyway."

"Mhm..." Sasuke rolled his eyes but kept a slight smile. 

They've now completely moved from inhabited places in the village. It might have passed an hour or two. And while it might seem like a lot. It went by quick for them. Mainly because of how many topics they've changed in that time. 

Birds were singing on branches of trees. The forest was bright green, and while some might call it beautiful. Sasuke called it haunted. He never really liked that look nature had during spring and summer. It seemed too good, so by that logic there must have been something bad.Or maybe he simply watched too many horror movies.

Mikoto and Fugaku were always surprisingly chill about Sasuke watching horrors with them. They wouldn't let him watch more bloody and realistically gory stuff. But Fugaku always allowed him to watch classic ones from the 70s and 80s. And Sasuke was never really scared of it. Mainly because of the fact he lived in a clan with the strongest people in the village. So he always felt protected.

But this forest did always give him an eerie feeling. Not of monsters. Rather maybe some rogue being here. And they could actually kill him. That teacher actually made Sasuke's attitude change a bit.

"Hey, Okomari..." he called quietly, stepping a bit so he walked shoulder to shoulder with her. Rather than to be behind her.

"What?" She didn't even look at him. 

"Umm... Do you really want to go further?" Sasuke asked, looking around.

"Why wouldn't I?" she looked at him."Scared?" She grinned.

Sasuke frowned a bit. "No, just worried. What if there are rogues here?"

"So?" she said it so simply.

"What do you mean 'so'?" Sasuke raised his voice a bit. "You want to be killed? If you're suicidal, great for you, don't drag me into it."

"Kill me? Why would they kill me? If there's any rogue here, it's from your clan. They won't kill you. You're theirs. Not every rogue is after your neck," Naoya scoffed.

"But Itachi—"

She put her finger over his mouth. "Quiet, I don't care what your brother said. He's just eating this village's propaganda anyway."

He moved her hand away and looked at her blankly. "My brother isn't some kind of propaganda machine."

She smirked, throwing a snake out of their way with a stick. "Of course he isn't. He's just their paperboy. They are using him like they use every other shinobi."

Sasuke held a branch out of her way, like a little gentleman. "And who are they?"

Naoya froze a bit, looking at him as if he had uttered sacrilege. "What do you mean, 'Who are they?' They own everything and everyone. They are the government. They are the ones controlling politicians. They are the ones controlling the news and media. They want the money, they want war, they want gold."

Sasuke blinked; he just got reminded her dad is a conspiracy theorist and that she frankly isn't far away in that field. "...Okay...But who are they?"

She crossed her arms and frowned; a few moments of silence passed, then she sucked her tongue and started walking again. "They don't have a name, face, race, nationality or ethnicity. For now... But I'll be damned if one day I don't figure it out."

"I reckon your dad already knows?" Sasuke asked, following her. 

"He has a few suspects," Naoya shrugged.

"And? "Who's most likely?" Sasuke asked. He wasn't going to lie. He was partly genuinely curious. It was amusing to listen to. 

"I don't know... But they all lead back to J.F.K." Naoya narrowed her eyes.

"...The guy from the book? Like the one who was shot?" Sasuke asked, and Naoya nodded. 

Naoya nodded, then a moment passed.

"Also...they sacrifice babies...."

Sasuke blinked. 

"And perform human experiments on people they kidnapped."

"Naoya I don't think someone your age should be thinking about all that." Sasuke sounds almost empathetic.

"No, no, no! Hear me out! You know Orochimaru?" she asked, and Sasuke nodded. "Well, what was he caught doing? Exactly, experimenting on humans. Who were kidnapped before that. Mainly kids, so that's basically sacrificing babies. And whose student was Orochimaru?"

"... Hokage's..." Sasuke mumbled, staring at her.

"Yes!" she said, kicking a rat out of her way. "So let's not pretend Hiruzen didn't at least know a little about it."

Sasuke lowered his shoulders. "So, Hiruzen is they?"

"No," she shook her head, "Hiruzen is controlled by the guys who are controlled by them."

"And why are they exactly doing that?"

"Money, jewellery, sadism, you name it. They run from the shadows." she spat.

"Okay..." Sasuke sighed, "But who do you think it's most likely they are?"

She stopped for a second and lowered her voice. "The French..."

Sasuke blinked. "Those guys from the West?"

"There's not a single event where a Frenchman hasn't been involved or stuck his fingers there."

Sasuke just stayed quiet and moved another branch. 

"Oh great!" Naoya lit up. "We're here! No more talk about them! Change the topic, you boy!"

Naoya walked through some grass, and Sasuke followed. You could hear water splashing around the large rocks at the side. Water was sparkling in the sun that was already high in the sky. 

 Naoya immediately grabbed the biggest rock she could lift and heaved it into the water with a grunt. It splashed hugely, soaking her and Sasuke a little.

“Idiot,” Sasuke said, picking up a smaller, flatter stone. He flicked it across the surface — it skipped three times before sinking. He smirked. “That’s how you’re supposed to do it.”

Naoya scoffed. “Yeah, well, I didn't know there was a book for throwing rocks.” She stomped into the shallows up to her ankles and kicked at the water, sending spray everywhere.

Sasuke crossed his arms. “You’re just mad you can’t do it right.”

“Please, as if I care. It's just rocks anyway.” She threw another one.

The splash echoed off the rocks, and then the forest went still again, like it was holding its breath. Only the steady rush of the river filled the silence, its surface broken by flashes of silver where fish darted near the shallows. Dragonflies skimmed low over the water, their wings catching the sun like tiny shards of glass.

The air was warm but cooler by the river, carrying that damp, green smell of moss and wet stone. Sunlight spilt through the canopy in patches, glittering on the surface like scattered coins. A breeze stirred the tall grass, bending the blades in slow waves.

Sasuke brushed a drop of water from his cheek, his scowl half-softened by the sight. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but this place was better than the Academy—quiet, wild, with no voices shouting at him to repeat a jutsu again and again. Just the river talking, steady and endless.

Naoya wrung out her sleeve and snorted, "Didn't I tell you it's better than being stuck in the academy with idiots?"

Sasuke's lip twitched a bit. "It's alright." He turned to look at her. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, yeah," she said, throwing a rock as far as she could with a grunt.

Sasuke looked at her head. "Why is your head like that? Akio says you just cut it because you were bored."

Naoya snorted. "No, I didn't. But my dad gave me three options: buzz cut, bob cut or this." She gestured at her head. "As you can see, my choices weren't all that great."

"And why did your dad do that?" Sasuke raised his eyebrow while picking up a round rock. 

Naoya sighed, "Because rich people want me to have long hair so I have to spend more on hair products, and they in return get richer."

Sasuke blinked. "You believe that?"

"Yes, but I also believe my dad was too lazy to cut my hair every month."

"My dad isn't like that," Sasuke said. "I'm allowed to have whatever hair and clothes I want."

"And you spend it on that horrendous duck butt?" she snorted.

"You, out of all the people, aren't allowed to judge my hair," he said, throwing a rock. It skipped two times before falling into the water. 

Naoya shrugged and looked around. "Now it's my turn to ask a question." Her head snapped back at Sasuke.

"Alright..." Sasuke hummed as he sat down at one of the large rocks.

"You're dad's like a police chief right?"

"Yeah, what about it?", Sasuke said slightly confused.

Naoya sat next to him, " Then shouldn't he arrest Uchiha rouges and kill them? You Uchiha's always arrest them, but they always somehow magically run away."

Sasuke scratched back of his head. "I—I don't think I should really tell you that. Family secrets and all."

She frowned, "Oh C'mon, do I look like I care if Uchiha's aren't model citizens?"

"Well...Look basically a lot of Uchiha's have rouge relatives. So most are kinda empathetic to other rouges and let them go.", Sasuke said quietly as if Somone was listening to them. 

"Do you have any rouge relatives?", she asked in whisper, looking at him before he looked away.

"Oh C'mon...", she continued, "I'm not gonna tell anyone. If you tell me about rouge relatives. I'll tell you why I don't have a mom."

That made Sasuke's couriusity pipe up. He wasn't always specifically interested in why she doesn't have a mom. But he'd lie if he said he didn't often hear rumours about it. Still, he wasn't really sure if he should tell her. If that got out his family could have trouble. On other hand it's not like she had anyone to tell. 

"Alright, but you go first. ", Sasuke said seriously.

Naoya shurgged, "Since I was born outside of marriage, my mom was embarrassed. And believed I'd ruin her reputation— which, fair, but not gonna lie it did sting. She left pretty much immediately after I was born and left me with dad. She's now married to some guy in Yamanaka clan."

"What's her name?", Sasuke asked.

"I don't know. I never bothered to ask, or particularly care.", Naoya said simply, "Now your part of the deal."

"Well...I do have an rouge uncle. From my mom's side, her brother. But he's legally dead, so... don't tell that to anyone. "

"May a future vampire burn my dog alive if I do."

"You don't even have a dog.", Sasuke sighed. 

"Whatever.", she scoffed.

Time stretched out without them really noticing. The river kept on rushing, steady and endless, while the sun slid lower in the sky.

At first, they argued. Sasuke called Naoya’s stone skips pathetic; Naoya said his throwing face looked like he was constipated. He shot back that her splash-jumps were the kind of thing babies did. She dared him to balance on the slick rocks near the middle of the river, and he actually did it—arms out, wobbling, nearly falling in. Then he dared her to climb a tree and spit on the water from the top, and she did, cackling the whole way down.

Eventually, the insults lost their bite and turned lazy, half-laughs between splashes and dares. Dragonflies came and went. At one point, Naoya found a stick shaped like a sword, and they fought a mock battle until hers broke in half. She accused him of cheating, he accused her of being weak.

By the time they collapsed on the bank, side by side in the tall grass, the shadows of the trees were stretching long and gold. The sun had begun to dip, staining the river orange. Cicadas buzzed loud in the branches, a different kind of music than in the bright afternoon.

Sasuke lay on his back, watching the sky through the leaves. Naoya sat cross-legged, tossing pebbles into the river one at a time, quieter now. The world just kept dimming around them, like the forest itself wanted them to stay lost there a little longer.

And with time the sun fell in the west before they could even realise it. They started going back earlier than that. But by the time full night fell, they still didn't find a way out. 

The forest felt different on the way back. Darker, thicker. The sky above the branches had gone navy blue, and the cicadas had switched out for crickets. The path they thought they were following had already forked twice, and now the trees all looked the same.

Naoya stopped, hands on her hips, peering into the black shapes of trunks ahead. “Well, Uchiha,” she said finally, dead serious but with a crooked grin, “I can tell you with all certainty. I don’t have a damn idea where we are.”

Sasuke froze mid-step. “What?!” His voice cracked a little higher than he wanted. “You—you don’t know?”

“I didn’t exactly bring a map, genius,” she shrugged, kicking a root out of the way like it was its fault. “Besides, all roads lead somewhere.”

“Somewhere?” Sasuke snapped, his hands balling into fists. 

"Or to Rome.", she shrugged carelessly.

“It’s *night*, Naoya. Do you even know what time it is? My parents are gonna—” He cut himself off, grimacing. Fugaku’s face flashed in his mind, stern and disappointed. “If they find out I skipped class and got lost—”

Naoya leaned down, trying to catch his eye in the gloom. “Relax, cop boy. We’re not gonna die out here. Worst case, we sleep under a tree. That’s what real shinobi do, right?”

“That’s what rogues do,” Sasuke muttered sharply, glancing at the shadows between the trees. “And what if there actually *is* one out here? We wouldn’t even see them coming.”

Naoya smirked, though her grip on her stick-sword tightened just a little. “Then it’s a good thing you’re a prodigy.”

Sasuke shot her a glare, but his steps drew closer to hers all the same.

They kept walking, crunching twigs underfoot, the forest darker with every step. The moon hung between the branches, thin and pale, but it wasn’t enough to light the ground. Fireflies blinked in and out like little false lanterns, and every rustle in the underbrush made Sasuke’s shoulders jump.

Naoya whistled low, casual, swinging her stick like a sword. “You know,” she said, “this is exactly how those horror movies start. The dumb kids wandering off into the woods after dark…”

Sasuke stiffened. “Shut up.”

“…And then there’s a snap of a twig, and—bam!—masked killer jumps out with a knife.” She suddenly lunged toward him, jabbing her stick into the shadows.

Sasuke flinched hard, stumbling back and smacking into a tree. “Don’t do that!” His voice came out higher than he wanted, chest tight.

Naoya laughed, loud and sharp, doubling over a little. “Oh my god! You're actually scared, aren't you!? You’re pale as a ghost!”

Sasuke shoved her shoulder when she straightened up. “It’s not funny! There *could* be someone out here.” His eyes scanned the trees, half-expecting a white mask or glint of metal. “My brother told me rogues hide in forests like this. Waiting.”

“Yeah?” Naoya tilted her head, grin crooked. “Then maybe one’s watching us right now.”

Sasuke whipped around so fast his bangs nearly smacked him in the eyes. The forest loomed, still and empty—except for the sound of his own breathing.

Naoya smirked, pleased. “Relax, Uchiha. If Jason comes out, I’ll feed him to the river fish.”

“…Jason?” Sasuke asked, almost whispering.

“You know. Hockey mask guy. Machete. Choppy choppy,” she mimed with her stick.

Sasuke scowled, trying to cover how fast his heart was beating. “That’s…that’s stupid. He’s not even real.”

“Neither are half the jutsu you brag about knowing,” Naoya shot back. “Still doesn’t stop you from pretending.”

They trudged on, the forest feeling thicker now, like it was swallowing their path. Every tree looked the same, and the night sounds pressed in heavy—the distant croak of frogs, a low hoot of an owl, the rustle of leaves that could’ve been the wind…or not.

Naoya kept humming some off-key tune, swinging her stick around like she was leading the way. Sasuke stayed closer than before, pretending it was just because she was holding the “weapon.” His eyes darted to every shadow.

“Y’know,” Naoya said suddenly, lowering her voice, “if someone *was* following us…”

Sasuke froze. “…What?”

She leaned toward him, her grin just visible in the moonlight. “They wouldn’t make a sound. Not a single twig snap. Just watching. Waiting. Breathing down your neck—”

Sasuke whipped around, clutching the strap of his shirt, eyes wide. Nothing. Just black woods stretching forever. His pulse hammered. “Stop it!”

Naoya snickered, not stopping at all. “You ever notice in those movies, the scared kid always dies first? And I ain't scared one.”

Before Sasuke could retort, a real crack split the air—like a foot stepping on dry wood. Both of them went still.

“…That was you, right?” Sasuke whispered, throat dry.

Naoya shook her head once, sharp. “Nope.”

Something rustled again, closer this time. 

Sasuke’s stomach dropped. His voice shook when he muttered, “I told you. Rogues.”

Naoya smirked again, “Or maybe Michael Myers decided to visit the Hidden Leaf.”

Another crack. Closer. Both of them snapped their heads toward the sound, breath caught.

“Naoya,” Sasuke hissed, edging behind her shoulder, “if this is a joke—”

Her voice still stayed steady, "Calm down. It's 100% some animal. It's a forrest after all."

"Yeah...", Sasuke said but he was still on high alert "Still, we should hurry back. I don't like this place, at all. I didn't like it during the day, and I like it even less now at night."

Naoya kept the stick up like she was marching into battle, swatting low branches out of the way. Sasuke trailed a step behind, arms folded, though every time the forest groaned or whispered, he glanced over his shoulder.

The noises didn’t stop—dry leaves crunched under unseen steps, a breeze moaned through the branches like someone sighing, and once, something that sounded far too big to be a rabbit splashed through the underbrush. Sasuke’s nerves were so taut he thought he might actually puke.

Naoya, of course, was loving it. “Relax, Uchiha. If someone *was* gonna get us, we’d already be dead.”

“That doesn’t help!” Sasuke snapped, tripping on a root and catching himself at the last second. His face burned with frustration. “We’re lost, it’s night, and we don’t even know where the road is.”

“Correction,” Naoya grinned, swinging her stick like a sword, “*you’re* lost. I just… haven’t figured out where we are yet.”

“That’s the same thing!”

They bickered like that for a while, but the deeper they went, the less funny it felt. The forest pressed close, its canopy so thick even the moon could barely shine through. Shadows stretched out like long, crooked fingers. Sasuke started to imagine faces between the trees—blank-eyed rogues watching from the dark, ready to pounce. He hated how his imagination betrayed him, but every time he blinked, another shape shifted.

Naoya finally stopped and squatted down, poking the dirt with her stick. “Okay. First rule of not dying: pick a direction and stick to it.”

Sasuke frowned. “That’s not a rule.”

“Yeah it is. Dad says if you wander around in circles, you starve faster.” She stood and pointed the stick ahead. “So, straight ahead. Don’t whine.”

Sasuke muttered under his breath but followed. He tried to keep his breathing even, tried not to notice how his sandals crunched too loudly, how every step sounded like it was announcing him to whoever—or whatever—might be out there.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. They pushed past thorny bushes, ducked under low branches, crossed a shallow patch of swampy ground that soaked Sasuke’s sandals. At one point, a low growl rolled through the dark. Sasuke froze mid-step. Naoya jabbed her stick toward the sound, but the noise faded into silence. Neither of them spoke for a while after that.

Just when Sasuke was starting to think they’d wander until morning, the trees began to thin. A faint glimmer of orange light shimmered ahead—torchlight, maybe, or lanterns. Both of them quickened their pace, snapping twigs underfoot.

They broke through the last line of trees, stumbling onto a dirt road. A lantern post burned nearby, and Sasuke almost sagged with relief. Familiar rooftops sat just beyond the rise—a few houses on the edge of the village, with laundry lines swaying in the night breeze.

Naoya propped her stick on her shoulder like she hadn’t been tense at all. “See? Told you we’d find our way.”

Sasuke shot her a glare, though his voice wavered. “You didn’t tell me anything. We almost died out there.”

“Please,” she smirked, “you almost died from being a baby. Big difference.”

Sasuke wanted to argue, but the warmth of the lantern light was too much of a comfort. He shoved his hands in his pockets and muttered, “Whatever.”

They walked the road back toward the clan district in silence, though every now and then Naoya nudged him with the stick, just to hear him complain again.

By the time they reached the cluster of houses at the edge of the village, the streets were mostly empty. The night air was cooler now, carrying the faint smell of smoke from hearth fires. Lantern light glowed warm in the windows, and Sasuke felt his shoulders finally loosen. No more rustling shadows. No more eerie creaks of trees. Just the quiet hum of the village at night.

Naoya slowed as they came to a fork in the road—one path leading deeper toward the Uchiha district, the other toward her own. She swung her stick a few times before resting it across her shoulders, arms draped over it like a lazy scarecrow.

“Well,” she said, tilting her chin toward him, “guess this is where you run off back to Daddy Cop.”

Sasuke scowled. “And you run off to Daddy Crazy.”

Her grin widened. “Touché.”

For a second, neither of them moved. The silence between them felt heavier than before, though not exactly uncomfortable. Sasuke kicked at a loose stone on the road. Naoya twirled the stick in her hand like she was pretending to be some great warrior.

“You’re not gonna cry and tell on me, are you?” she teased, voice lilting. “Like, ‘Ohhh, Mom, Naoya tricked me, I almost got eaten by shadows.’”

“I don’t cry,” Sasuke shot back, too quickly. Then, after a beat, he muttered, “...And I’m not telling anyone.”

Naoya raised a brow, mock-surprised. “Wow. Loyalty. Didn’t think you had it in you, Uchiha.”

Sasuke gave her a sharp look. “Don’t make me regret it.”

“Relax. Your secret’s safe. Wouldn’t want people thinking you actually hung out with me, anyway.” She smirked, starting toward her path. “It’d ruin your prodigy image.”

Sasuke turned toward his own road, shoving his hands deep in his pockets. “Like I want people thinking I actually know you. As if.”

Naoya called back over her shoulder, “You’re welcome, by the way, for saving you from boring jutsu practice!”

“You didn’t save me. I could’ve skipped on my own!” Sasuke shouted, though his lips twitched like he was holding back a smile.

“Keep telling yourself that, eye-boy!” she yelled, waving her stick in the air as she walked off.

Sasuke watched her disappear around the corner before heading toward the Uchiha compound. The night didn’t feel as scary now, even if his stomach tightened at the thought of his father’s face when he got home. Still… it had been better than sitting in the Academy all night.

He kept walking, almost smirking to himself

"Hn? They are already all asleep?", Sasuke mumbeled as he entered the Uchiha clan.

He knew it was late, probably around 2 am. But it felt too silent. Usually there was still some light in houses. And you could hear Police Shinobi patroling around. But nothing tonight. Sasuke knew their routes well. And yet he couldn't see them.

"Maybe dad gave them a night off...", Sasuke looked around.

It weirded him out how there wasn't a single candle or lantern glowing. There almost always was. He could have even sworn he saw something wet on few windows. But not like water, it was darker. 

Sasuke at this point just wanted to get home as fast as he could. He'd rather get scolded by his parents than stay out here. The clan looked like ghosts lived here. 

"What?...", he said as he stepped on kunai. He looked to the side, seeing that the doors of the house were wide open. After midnight.

He quickened hia pace just a little as he got to Uchiha compound. Compound freaked him out even more. There wasn't light in it. He figured his parents would stay up late to wait for him. Maybe even go search for him. It couldn't be that they forgotten about him. He maybe wasn't always a priority. But his parents wouldn't never let him stay out late even when they knew where he was. And if his parents weren't awake, Itachi should be. 

He took of his shoes off, "Mom! Dad!", he got no answer. 

The house was dark and quiet. Hallway seemed even darker than usual. Sasuke walked into it. He figured they should be in the room at the end. That's mostly where his parents stayed late at night when they weren't sleeping. 

"Mom...Dad...", Sasuke knocked, and he got no answer again.

Sasuke opened the door. And first thing he saw was red pair of eyes staring at him.

Chapter Text

This is basically drawings I made of how characters look. I'll continue adding them as a write and draw. It's nothing special, but just basically their faces. It will be both canon characters and my OC's.

Sasuke Uchiha 

https://pin.it/PMLTYnhgb

Sakura 

https://pin.it/3tkH8LvwE

Naoya Okomari 

https://pin.it/5rwdY6nLP

Akio Uchiha 

https://pin.it/64bCbQRgb

Genta Uchiha 

https://pin.it/y7zrM5q1y

Nanao Uchiha (sorry I got carried away with him lol)

https://pin.it/tBhhQsVdN

Chapter Text

Sasuke's eyes widen. 

On the floor layed the unmoving bodies of his parents. Bleeding from neck and mouth. The blood was dripping over the floor. His mother's eyes were still open. He could have sworn they looked at him once before just going blank. Her clothes had grotesque red stains overtaking it's prior color. The face that was considered one of the prettiest in Konoha was now even paler than usual

Fugaku's body was limp. There was blood coming from his father's mouth. His eyes were closed, and Sasuke would rather that than them looking at them.He seemed a little more at peace than Mikoto, but only a little more. His eyebrows were still furrowed so that it seemed like he was confused or sad. 

Above them stood Itachi, with his red eyes glowing in the dark of the room. And his face was only being seen by the light of the moon that came from a nearby window.

"...Father...Mother....", Sasuke mumbled.

He was shaking. His body didn't know what to do. And his brain didn't help. His legs didn't know whether to enter the room or run out of the house. Everything was clear as day. Yet nothing made sense. 

"Who ...? Y—you woul—wouldn't?... Yo—you couldn't?...", Sasuke stammered out. 

Itachi's gaze was cold and expressionless. He looked at Sasuke as if all of this was to be expected. As if it was already written down and shut down. 

It was obvious what happened. It was clear as day. Itachi killed their parents. Yet Sasuke didn't want to believe it. He'd rather believe his eyes are lying to him. Itachi could explain it, there had to be an answer that would fix everything. Or at least make it understandable.

"Foolish brother...", it was all that Itachi said, and it was a confirmation Sasuke didn't want to hear. 

"Mangekyo Sharingan!", Itachi exclaimed.

Next thing Sasuke saw was blood, screams, and death. He saw people being slaughtered like animals while asleep. He heard women scream before they were forced to go quiet forever. He saw men having their throats slit like it was the most ordinary thing in the world. He saw children run, scream, and even just sleep before being put out of mortal life. 

Blood, there was so much of it wherever Sasuke's eyes looked. On floor, on carpet, on the wall, on the furniture, on the beds, on the pillows, on the doors, on the windows, on all of it. He saw it dripping from dead, scared, horrified, sleepy, and wide-awake faces. Some were about to scream but had that taken from them. Faces that were still asleep peacefully, not knowing what is about to happen. Children with wide eyes, those horrified eyes that soon met the same fate as everyone else. 

It was disgusting. It was horrific. It was so, so, so, so bloody. It disgusted Sasuke to his core. He couldn't even tell you or describe what he was thinking in the moment, not now and not ever. Each drop of blood he saw fall was ingrained in his blood. But he saw no tears. There wasn't even hatred in eyes of those who got slaughtered. Their eyes were filled with shock more than anything. 

But Sasuke felt it. Sasuke felt that anger and hatred they didn't. In this moment his world crumbled. What is he supposed to even do or think? Does he just let himself be murdered too? Let the Uchiha, the proud people they were, just die out. As if they are less deserving of life than others. As if their blood and sweat didn't create this village and its safety. 

He felt numb, he just fell down. His body gave out and his brain went blank. 

"...Why?...", it was the only thing that left Sasuke's mouth. 

Itachi's gaze was still cold as he stared down at Sasuke, "To measure my capabilities...I had too...."

"You killed them...for that? 

Itachi nodded, "I'll leave you alive. You'll be the one through who I will measure my abilities to their fullest extent."

"You killed them...", Sasuke's eyes started having tears in them and yet became so dry and open. 

"Don't pity them. They are not the first clan that died. And certainly not the last.... The Uchiha helped erase numerous clans and killed thousands. This is nothing short of karma.", Itachi said with no emotions.

"I don't care!", tears fell down Sasuke's, "I don't care if they were best or worst people alive! They were our! They were mine! They would kill for you! And you slaughtered them like they don't matter!", Sasuke stood up weakly. 

"They were not our people. They were like anyone else. Sinners like all beings. Their life and death aren't special.", Itachi gripped his sword tighter.

"No they weren't! They were mine! Mine! I don't care if they did something deserving of genocide! They are mine! I'm them! They are me!", Sasuke cried while taking a few steps back. 

Itachi stayed quiet for a moment, "You're only makin' this harder for yourself."

Tears were spilling down Sasuke's face and falling on the wooden floor. For a few moments the sound of drops was the only thing you could hear. 

"If you ever want to defeat me. You'll have to do what I did.", Itachi took a step forward, "Kill your closest friend."

Sasuke swallowed, "So...It was you...You killed Shisui..."

"And now I have his eyes.", Itachi said flatly.

"In the Naka Shrine's main hall, under the seventh tatami mat from the far right, there's a secret clan meeting place. There's a reason we Uchiha have ocular Jutsu.", Itachi explained, "The truth is written there."

"What does that have to do with anything!", Sasuke yelled and took another step back.

"If you open your eyes to the truth...Then you will also obtain Mangekyo Sharingan.", Itachi started walking towards him.

"Mangekyo Sharingan...", Sasuke repeated quietly.

"If that happens, then I'll be right in letting you live. Currently...You aren't even worth killing. You're pathetic...", Itachi bit his thounge for a moment, "If you want to kill me, hate me and cling to life without honor like the coward you are.", Itachi was now standing in front of him while Sasuke was shaking, "And someday when you are worth it, you will find me again."

"W—w—what are you even...", Sasuke started walking back, further away from his brother and killer of his kin. 

Run, run you idiot and scream and cry and yell, is what Sasuke was thinking.

"I don't wanna to die! Please! I don't wanna! I don't wanna die!", Sasuke cried as he started ti run to the exit out of the house.

These were the kind of screams that rip your ears apart. That makes you think a horror movie is playing on TV. You truly couldn't think they were real because they sounded like they could cut metal. They were loud, they had voice cracks, and they had tears and sobs in them. 

Sasuke felt like blood just might start coming out of his mouth and ears. His own screams hurt his throat, it felt like there was something in there wanting to make him shut up. He needed more air, he needed something, and he didn't even know what would help. Please be a dream, is all he repeated in his head.

Just as Sasuke was about to exit the house, he hit something or someone that was standing in the door opening.

"Wha—", Sasuke looked up.

There stood a tall man, much taller than Itachi, his hair was longer too, extremely messy. His figure was also much more intimidating. Sasuke could, even in the dark, see two red things, blood in his clothes, and one red eye glowing in the dark. And most importantly, a mask that covered his face, only letting one eye be seen. 

Before Sasuke could say or think anything, the man used a neck chop on him, and before he knew it everything turned black for Sasuke, last thing he felt was hitting the floor. Then that was it.

"Madara!", Itachi came running down the hallway.

"Oh relax, brat is only knocked out.", Obito, or Madara in this moment, said while picking up Sasuke from the floor, "What did you expect me to do?"

"I expected you to not meddle in my business, like I told you.", Itachi said as he stared at the man.

Obito looked at the boy he held, "Physically he seems fine. I can't tell how he is in head tho."

"Put him down, you don't deserve to hold him, Madara.", Itachi said, pointing his sword at Obito. 

Obito just scoffed, "Spare me the lecture, oh Saint Itachi. We'll put him outside on the porch, they'll find him there easier."

"Are Shinobi already on the way?", the younger Uchiha said as he lowered his sword.

Obito nodded, "I set off a few alarms, but they'll need about twenty minutes to get here since it's late and most were sleeping."

Itachi sighed, "That's...good I suppose..."

A moment of silence became a full minute. Itachi was just staring at the floor. While Obito was holding Sasuke who was definitely not calm even when knocked out. 

"Are you alright?", Obito finally asked.

Itachi didn't look up, "I want to throw up...", sword basically fell out of his hand, and he sat against the wall. His head in his hands.

Obito groaned, "Oh so now you regret it? You couldn't have done that before we murdered the damn clan?!"

"Madara, keep it down, you'll wake up Sasuke.", Itachi hissed and looked up, "I don't regret it....And even if I did what does it matter. It was right thing to do."

"... I'm sure Brutus said the same...", Obito mumbled as he glanced out of the window.

"...What do I do now?", Itachi asked with more emotion than he intended.

"You'll join Akatsuki, that's your best shot. Even if this was Danzo's order, he won't keep you in village.", Obito explained.

Itachi swallowed, "Maybe I could go to the Okomari clan? They're independent of villages, and they take in rogues."

"Oh yeah sure, you just killed one of their oldest allies, I'm sure they'll accept you with open arms.", Obito scoffed.

"Then what do I do?!", Itachi's voice cracked just a bit. 

It was probably only in this moment that realization of what he had done fell on him. He killed his clan, his people, his family. He killed his mother and father, his cousins, crush, even younger cousins. Men, women, children, elders, all of them. All because of some damn Village. Up until now he didn't really question it that much, or think he'll feel too much about it.

He was always told he was mature for his age, more stoic than most grown men. That he was a perfect Shinobi. Loyal to the fault. He was a boy who, at five, was already thinking like a Hokage. But now that he thought about it. Maybe it was concerning that a child's brain can be compared to the Konoha's leader. 

Itachi wouldn't admit it, but he wanted to cry so badly now. To run to his mom and hug her until he feels better. Just a little comfort that he isn't the devil in a human body. But he couldn't. He killed her. He never even appreciated her as much as he should. He was never one to hug and cuddle as a child, that was Sasuke. The distant one was always Itachi. 

All the things he thought and said about his father. And at the end, man couldn't even kill him because if how much he loved him. He didn't even hate him. Not even disown him. His father could have killed him and saved others. But he didn't. He chose his son, one who could be compared to a demon, over the whole clan. His father rarely agreed with him. Yet he barely even yelled at Itachi. 

It was easier to come to terms with his mother's death. She didn't tell him anything when he came to kill them, in fact she didn't even look at him. And Itachi understood that. It was the best he could've hoped for. He was surprised she didn't curse him. Her bloodline was from Izuna Uchiha, a man who was known to love Uchiha so much he refused most ceasefires. They could only come to a peace treaty with Senju when he was killed. He understood her reaction to her own son killing her. While he didn't tell them why he killed them, it was obvious to everyone it was something involving politics. It always was. And Itachi knew she wouldn't look at him in that moment. And he could live with that. He deserved her hatred. 

But his father didn't die hating him. And that ate Itachi from inside. He said he hated that man so many times, he believed his father was evil for allowing the coup to take place. That he was evil for not siding with the village. 

Yet, Fugaku's last words were literally comforting Itachi. And Itachi knew he didn't deserve it. At all. He would much rather his father cursed him and tried to kill him. Itachi would have an easier time living knowing his father hated his guts—than knowing he loved him so much he wasn't even angry with him. He was so undeserving of that love that it physically pained Itachi he even got it. It made him want to kill himself, and to make it hurt so bad that he can feel what he deserves to feel for killing his people.

He'll never forget it. He'll never forget the stares if the dead man. Who would wake up just as Itachi slit their throats, and just looked at him. Their wife's who would try to scream before he got them too. 

And worst of all, the stares of children. He remembered those two friends of Sasuke's. Akio and Genta. Akio was awake and saw Itachi kill his sister, and the boy obviously fought back. Which made Itachi miss the points when stabbing. The boy felt so much pain because Itachi missed, the scream was so bloody. To make it worse when the boy started coughing blood on him—Itachi got scared...He just dropped the boy where he was and left. The boy probably died from pain and bleeding out. 

The other one, Genta. Itachi knew he was awake, even if he pretended he slept. This one heard how Itachi killed his cousin. And probably decided it was better if he just accepted it. Itachi first knocked him out, and only then killed him by cutting his throat. 

And Izumi...Poor Izumi. Itachi tried to do it as painlessly and fast as he could. He even put her in Tsukuyomi so she had a good life, even if fake one. She said she forgave him when he killed her, but Itachi doubts it.

"Oi, brat, don't you start crying now.", Obito said.

"Huh?", Itachi wiped the tears of his face in confusion, he didn't even realize it, "How long have I been crying?"

"For about ten to fifteen minutes.", Obito opened the door, "Now get up, Shinobi will be here in few minutes. And I mean only few."

Itachi grabbed his sword and stood up. 

Obito carefully laid Sasuke on the stairs outside. He put him down surprisingly gently and made sure the boy was comfortable while laying down. 

"Did you take the eyes?", Itachi asked quietly while watching Sasuke. 

Obito nodded, "Yes, but only from men. I didn't know which women was in Shinobi force and which were not. Same for kids. I didn't know which already awakened Sharingan. So I just left them."

"Well we certainly made a few awake it tonight?", Itachi said wiping his nose. 

"Mhm, prime example is laying here.", he pointed to Sasuke.

"...He did?", Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, you obviously didn't notice it. But I did when he ran into me, his eyes were red. Did he already have Sharingan?", Obito asked.

"No...",Itachi shook his head.

"Then he awoke the regular Sharingan. I was almost hoping it was Mangekyo. A man can dream.", Obito sighed dramatically.

"I think one boy did awake Mangekyo when I killed him....His death was...More brutal than others."

"Really? Shame he won't use it then.", Obito said, "Now let's go."

Chapter Text

Shikamaru was trying his very best to stay awake. The morning sunlight hadn’t fully stretched over the village yet, and the classroom lamps cast a dull, artificial glow over the desks. Choji was beside him, fidgeting in his seat and arguing loudly with Naruto about something that seemed completely trivial. Shikamaru couldn’t comprehend how anyone could have the energy to yell at seven in the morning, especially on a school day. And, of course, it wasn’t even about anything important—it was, as usual, about food. Choji insisted that his breakfast wasn’t filling enough, while Naruto countered that ramen could solve everything, and their voices bounced off the walls like a ping-pong ball.

Shikamaru rubbed his eyes and leaned his head against the cool edge of his desk. The classroom around him buzzed with chatter and movement, but it all felt muted in comparison to the loud arguments of the two boys beside him. Outside, the weather was cloudy and grey, with thick clouds rolling low across the sky. The wind whispered through the trees outside the window, carrying the faint smell of damp earth and flowers not yet in bloom. You could almost forget it was supposed to be summer, because the air was sharp and cool, tugging at the edges of loose papers on the desks. Even with the classroom filled with children, there was a strange, quiet feeling in the world outside—as though the entire village were holding its breath.

Shikamaru glanced at the clock on the wall. Five minutes until the day officially started. Iruka-sensei should be here soon, and the rest of the students would trickle in from the hallways, their laughter and footsteps joining the chorus of the classroom.

“Hey? Where is Sasuke?” Sakura’s small voice cut through the chatter as she scanned the room, her pink ribbons bouncing slightly as she sat down at her desk.

Naruto mumbled something under his breath, not even bothering to look up. “What do we care where he is…”

Shikamaru squinted across the room, scanning the familiar faces, counting heads silently in his mind. One, two… no, something was off. He didn’t see Sasuke anywhere. His dark eyes flicked across the room again. Still missing.

“He probably got sick of something,” Shikamaru shrugged, leaning back against his chair. “His parents let him stay home if his head hurts even a little.”

“That’s not fair!” Choji’s voice rose again, high and indignant, earning a glare from Naruto.

Kiba, who was sitting a few rows behind them, leaned forward, his brown hair falling into his eyes. “There isn’t a single Uchiha in the classroom today. Do they… have a holiday or something?”

Shikamaru turned slowly to follow Kiba’s gaze. Sure enough, every desk that would normally have an Uchiha sitting in it was empty. Not a single familiar black-haired head anywhere.

Ino tilted her head, frowning slightly. “No… they don’t have any holidays that I’m aware of.”

Naruto perked up, ears twitching with curiosity. “Maybe they’re skipping class?”

Shikamaru shook his head, his long limbs stretching lazily under the desk. “Doubt it,” he muttered. “These are Uchiha. They always have the best grades. I don’t see a reason why they’d skip school.”

Outside, a soft gust rattled the branches against the window, and Shikamaru noticed how even the small classroom plants trembled slightly, as if in anticipation. The sound of his classmates’ chatter seemed far away all of a sudden, and he felt the quiet weight of absence—Sasuke and the others just weren’t here, and it made the room feel a little emptier, a little too still. Choji’s complaints about breakfast faded into background noise as Shikamaru stared at the empty seats, his mind already beginning to wander into shadows and daydreams, as it always did when something felt too troublesome to deal with directly.

“Kids, the class is dismissed today!” Iruka’s voice rang sharply as he hurried into the classroom. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a rare look of panic. His brow was furrowed, and he kept glancing at the clock on the wall as if the seconds themselves were running away from him.

“What?” The entire class spoke at once, their voices rising in unison, almost a chorus of disbelief.

Iruka groaned and ran a hand through his messy brown hair. “Me… and all the other shinobi are needed for… an emergency.” His voice faltered slightly, and he looked anywhere but at the wide-eyed children.

Naruto shot up from his desk, his blue eyes wide with curiosity and worry. “But what happene—”

“It’s not for your ears. At least, not yet,” Iruka interrupted, his tone firm. “But I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough. Now, everyone, go directly home.” There was no room for argument—his voice brooked none, and the kids knew better than to press it.

Within minutes, the entire class had spilled out of the Academy building, the wooden doors creaking behind them. Outside, the wind was sharp and biting, tugging at their thin jackets and tousling their hair. The grey sky above them threatened rain, and the clouds rolled low over the village, giving the day a strange, uneasy stillness. Usually, at this hour, the streets would be dotted with people walking to work, but today, it seemed as though the world itself was holding its breath.

“Hey, look…” Choji pointed with a small, trembling finger. His usual excitement was tinged with worry.

A group of about ten shinobi ran down the street, their robes flapping and boots pounding against the stone. Their movements were swift, urgent.

“They’re going towards the Uchiha clan,” Ino said, her voice stern.

A sudden crack of thunder split the sky, low and menacing, and the children flinched. The sound of shouting reached them—voices carrying over the wind, sharp and tense.

“Well, you guys can do what you want,” Naruto said, already stepping forward, his small fists clenched with determination, “but I’m going to see what’s happening at the Uchiha clan!” He practically sprinted toward the direction of the shouting, ignoring the cold nipping at his ears.

Kiba scowled and shook his head. “Naruto, don’t be crazy. You can’t just waltz in there. It’s dangerous.”

“I’m going to stay outside,” Shikamaru said with his usual calm drawl, hands in his pockets. He glanced toward the Uchiha compound, tilting his head slightly. “I’ll just peek at what’s happening. They won’t even notice me.”

Choji and Sakura exchanged nervous glances, unsure whether to follow Naruto or stay put. The wind whipped at their jackets again, carrying the distant sound of shouting and hurried footsteps. Even at seven years old, a sense of danger settled over them, prickling the skin at the back of their necks.

The Uchiha compound loomed ahead, a tall, dark silhouette against the stormy sky. Smoke or dust—Shikamaru couldn’t tell which—rose faintly in the distance, curling like fingers reaching into the grey clouds. Somewhere beyond the walls, voices shouted, and the children’s hearts thumped with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

Naruto was already a little dot rushing forward, Choji hesitating, Sakura fidgeting with her ribbons, and Kiba muttering under his breath about fools rushing in. Ino was dragging her feet, probably already having a feeling something bad is to be seen. Shikamaru, ever lazy yet observant, crouched slightly behind a low wall, squinting to see what was happening, already calculating how messy this morning might become.

By the time they reached the edge of the Uchiha district, the children had taken cover in a tall oak tree that leaned over the stone wall. Its thick branches gave them enough room to crouch and peek without being seen. The bark was rough under their palms, and leaves rustled softly around their small bodies as they tried their best to stay quiet.

Below them, the wide entrance gates of the Uchiha compound stood open. Shinobi were rushing in and out, their sandals slapping against the stones, their movements sharp and hurried. Some carried scrolls, others barked orders, and a few glanced anxiously over their shoulders as if worried about something behind them.

The air was tense, filled with muffled shouting and the clatter of weapons. The children held their breath as they watched, their eyes wide.

“Why are there so many shinobi?” Sakura whispered, clutching the branch until her knuckles turned pale.

Naruto leaned forward too far, nearly slipping. Kiba yanked him back by the collar just in time. “Idiot, be quiet,” Kiba hissed. “You want them to see us?”

Shikamaru didn’t answer right away. His dark eyes narrowed as he scanned the compound below. Something wasn’t right. The Uchiha lived here—the strongest clan in the village, the clan everyone whispered about. Normally, they were the ones leading when danger struck. Yet as Shikamaru’s gaze darted from group to group, he realized what was missing.

“There aren’t any Uchiha shinobi down there…” he said finally, his voice unusually serious.

Choji blinked. “Huh? What do you mean? There’s a ton of them.”

“No.” Shikamaru shook his head slowly, pointing with his chin. “Look closely. They’re all from other clans. Leaf shinobi, yeah—but not Uchiha. Not one.”

The others followed his gaze. Kiba’s frown deepened. Sakura’s lips parted slightly in shock. Naruto squinted, his small face scrunching up.

“That doesn’t make sense,” Ino whispered. “This is their compound… why wouldn’t they be here? They’re the best ninjas in the village.”

A gust of wind blew past, carrying an awful smell. Somewhere deeper in the compound, they could hear shouting again—this time sharper, angrier, and followed by the sound of something crashing. The children clung tighter to the tree branches, their hearts pounding.

“Then… where are they?”, Ino asked.

The question hung in the air, heavier than the storm clouds gathering overhead.

From their perch in the oak tree, the children held their breath as more shinobi poured in and out of the compound. The air was heavy, almost suffocating, and even the usual village sounds—birds, dogs barking, vendors calling—seemed to have vanished.

Then, Shikamaru noticed something new. “Look,” he muttered.

Two shinobi came out carrying a stretcher. A white sheet was draped over it, fluttering faintly in the wind, hiding whatever—or whoever—was beneath. Another stretcher followed right behind.

Choji’s mouth fell open. “Are those… people?”

Kiba’s eyes hardened, his hands gripping the branch. “Yeah. But they’re not moving.”

Sakura covered her mouth with both hands. She didn’t say anything, but her small shoulders trembled.

Naruto leaned forward again, his voice low and uneasy. “Why would they need stretchers if nobody’s hurt?” His question was simple, childish—but it made all of them feel colder.

They tried to listen, straining their ears as shinobi passed below. Voices drifted up, carried by the wind in pieces.

The children’s hearts thudded in unison. They couldn’t piece the words together, but each fragment sounded heavier than the last.

Another stretcher went by, then another. The white sheets looked brighter than anything else in the grey morning, and the sight of them made the kids’ stomachs twist.

“Still no Uchiha shinobi,” Shikamaru murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. His eyes stayed sharp, but his voice was unusually tense. “Something’s wrong. Really wrong.”

They sat frozen in the branches, the storm clouds darkening above them, while below, the shinobi moved faster and faster, their voices urgent, their faces grim.

For once, even Naruto didn’t say anything.

Chapter Text

Danzo and Hiruzen walked around the Uchiha clan. The smell of blood and corpses assaulted their noses. They watched as shinobi ran about, trying to find at least one person who had survived this horrific event. But all the Uchiha who were found were already long dead.

"What have you done, Danzo…" Hiruzen whispered when they were finally alone for a moment.

Danzo smirked. "What no one else would. Now shut it before someone hears you."

"You were willing to spill the blood of innocents over negotiations of any kind?" Hiruzen said coldly.

"I think the answer is lying around you currently," Danzo said, his voice devoid of emotion.

"You disgust me…" Hiruzen said.

"No, I don’t, and even if I did—what will you do about it? You could remove me from my position. Tell everyone what I did, and I’d be executed in days by your order. But will you order it?" Danzo looked at him.

Wind blew into Hiruzen's face. "…I won’t, and for that, I’ll carry the blood of the Uchiha, old friend."

Danzo scoffed. "Yes, a friend."

The yelling of shinobi echoed through the streets. Bodies were being transferred and covered with white cloths that would eventually be soaked in blood that hadn’t even had time to dry. It was fitting that the sky was gray, because it was truly a tragedy on Earth. Each time shinobi thought they had found a living Uchiha, they were proven wrong.

"…Who could have killed the Uchiha clan all in one night?" Iruka mumbled.

"Itachi Uchiha," Kakashi answered emotionlessly.

"What!?" Iruka snapped his head toward the gray-haired man.

Gai nodded. "Yup. Itachi Uchiha. We’ve gotten reports from Danzo himself. Says the guy just went nuts and killed the whole clan to test his power."

Iruka rubbed his eyes. "Unbelievable… Uchiha being killed by their own… I don’t even think I can remember a time that ever happened before."

"Power corrupts," Shikaku Nara, who was passing by with his own team, added. "What I’m shocked by is that he took out his own father so easily. I knew he was strong, but I was always sure Fugaku was stronger."

Iruka shrugged. "The boy must be far more dangerous than we thought."

"Maybe his father didn’t even fight him? Uchiha are known for being emotional," Gai said.

Shikaku sighed. "Possibly, but who could really know? What we do know is that they are all dead. In one night. And killed by one of their own, no less. Tragic, honestly."

"Not only that, this will be a great hit to the military forces in the village," Kakashi added. "The Uchiha have consistently been the biggest factor in winning battles and defending the village. This will leave us open to attack."

"You're right," Iruka nodded.

It was true. The Uchiha clan was one of the largest in numbers and consistently produced geniuses. During the wars, they were on the front lines the most. During times of peace, they were the village’s primary defense.

Even though they were essentially all Military Police shinobi, they could be called upon for battle or any other need. Most of the time, they were the village’s trump card for victories—well-coordinated with one another and capable of using their abilities to the fullest.

That was one thing the Uchiha had over other clans. There wasn’t as much infighting. While they could disagree, they would still be ready to die for one another. After becoming genin, they were always put on Uchiha teams. That made it easy to coordinate strategies and plans. They could rely on one another, and everyone was expected to maintain the highest discipline.

That’s why Obito Uchiha was seen as an annoyance by most in the clan. He lacked that discipline, and the fact that he wasn’t on a full Uchiha team meant he couldn’t rely on others either. But it would be a lie to say he wasn’t mourned when he “died.”

"Seems a lot of shinobi are about to be promoted without much work," Shikaku shook his head.

"You think the Sharingan can be taken and still used?" Iruka asked.

"Well, tough luck with that. Seems Itachi already took the eyes of the Uchiha men. The women’s and children’s were left, so I suppose we could use theirs," Kakashi explained.

"Shame. Most of those eyes could have been really useful. Those men had already trained them well enough. But women’s and children’s will work just fine," Shikaku said.

"You guys think the Hokage will allow shinobi to still use them?" Gai asked.

"Why wouldn’t he?" Shikaku snorted. "They’re dead. It’s not like they’ll need them."

"And it’s not like they can really object anymore, like they did before," Iruka added.

The Uchiha would have always been against anyone outside the clan using their eyes. Even Kakashi barely got approval, and most still believed he shouldn’t have it. It was a controversial topic outside the clan, but inside it was largely settled—only Uchiha should have the Sharingan. Considering the situation now, no one could really object.

Shikaku adjusted his cloak, glancing at the rows of white-covered bodies being carried past. "Well… I suppose this will at least open promotions to shinobi from other clans. No Uchiha competing against them."

Iruka frowned but stayed silent, watching a group of shinobi carefully move bodies onto carts, their faces calm, almost indifferent.

Kakashi kicked a pebble along the street. "I guess that’s true. But those promotions will have to happen fast, and eyes will have to be distributed quickly too. That way we aren’t left vulnerable to attack."

Gai nodded. "Exactly. A rare opportunity, if you look at it the right way. Predictive abilities, genjutsu… that’s power. Can’t waste it."

Shikaku let out a low whistle. "Itachi… he’s a hard one to read. But in a strange way, he cleared the way. The sooner we settle things, the sooner the village can move forward without hesitation."

Shikaku sighed. "It’s unfortunate, but the village has to adapt. We can’t let emotion slow things down."

No one else seemed to notice—or care—that their conversation unfolded against the backdrop of destruction, with children and women being moved as calmly as supplies, their eyes discussed as if they didn’t belong to anyone.

Gai clapped his hands together. "Alright! Let’s start organizing assignments. The sooner they’re ready, the sooner the village benefits. Strategy waits for no one."

Kakashi nodded. "Losses happen. The important thing is making sure what remains is… productive."

Suddenly, a voice cut through the murmurs and the shuffling of bodies.

"One is alive! Sasuke Uchiha is alive!" shouted a Yamanaka shinobi, running while holding the boy, who seemed unconscious but was breathing.

The shout echoed down the street. Shinobi came running, jostling each other as they tried to catch sight of the boy.

Iruka froze. His heart skipped. He had thought there were none left—but one of his students was alive.

Kakashi’s head turned slowly toward the commotion, expression unreadable. "Sasuke?"

Gai smiled. "Clan head’s son, if I’m not mistaken? Huh. Seems the boy has incredible luck and spirit."

Shikaku pushed through the crowd, looking down at the boy. Sasuke was small and pale, with a few scratches. He seemed fine, no visible injuries, and was breathing steadily—but his body was numb and weak.

"Get him to the medic," Kakashi ordered.

Gai’s voice carried over the street. "Yes! We can’t waste time feeling sorry. He’s alive, that’s what matters! At least one is still here.

Shikaku bent slightly, inspecting the boy’s condition. "Surprisingly resilient. Seems he got it from his mother."

Gai clapped his hands, breaking the tension like a whip. "Alright! Let’s move! The boy survived, and that means he has potential. We can’t let him waste away!"

The shinobi moved quickly. Some carried Sasuke to the hospital. Others ran through the village, spreading the word that one Uchiha had survived—one and only one. The villagers listened in shock. The mighty Uchiha clan, gone, with only a child left. It seemed impossible, more like a horror story than reality.

Most people didn’t know how to react. They had never fully trusted the Uchiha—they were proud, emotional, and difficult to reason with. So most simply acted as if they had never hated them. Only in death could the Uchiha be seen as equal to the others, never truly treated as such—even in the grave.