#muse: fugaku

[rosegardxn]

Izumi looked up at the Uchiha clan leader with her cute and round face and asked, "Did you know my papa?" She and her mother recently moved within the Uchiha clan. Izumi had some trouble settling in, as she wasn’t immediately accepted by the other Uchiha.

The small voice caught Fugaku off guard. He'd been busy dealing with the affairs of the clan and the unrest growing between them and Konoha, that he almost missed it. He looked down and observed the girl for just a moment, his mouth drawn in a thin line on his face. "I don't think I do, you seem to be new here." He tried to make his voice as gentle as he could- a feat that wa snot as easy as it was for the others.

She would have done better seeking out Mikoto.

"What is your name?"

[uchihaxitachi]

itachi hcs with a pregnant s/o:

itachi was the happiest man on earth when he got to know that you're pregnant. he truly did love you a lot. despite the uchihas being ill-famous for promoting clan marriages and arranged marriages; itachi did none of those things. he married someone not from his clan. all the backlash he received was brutally stomped by the uchiha when he claimed the title of the hokage. people did talk behind his back about it, but it didn't bother him. he had two goals -- keep his family safe, keep konoha safe.

it was one of the few times you saw itachi's eyes glossed, when you braced yourself for a reaction from him after sharing the news. "that- you blessed me today, my angel." he happily declares, pulling you close and kissing you softly, there weren't any emotions he could muster up except unadulterated, unfiltered and sort of overwhelming love for you.

the whole pregnancy was kept a secret, only the closest of people knew. mikoto, fugaku, sasuke, your family, shisui maybe. that's all. itachi was presumed as someone who stretched his working hours but ever since you had been pregnant, he always left work on time. not a minute late. anything else can wait, absolutely urgent things can be handled accordingly. nothing is as urgent as his wife and unborn child.

itachi is a master chef, he makes sure he masters things to the point of perfection. no matter what he tried. culinary skills were one of them. creating diet-plans and extensively following them. you had a filled pantry for all your mood swings. you had the best breakfast and dinner. lunch you could manage for yourself and your man. though itachi never obligated you to.

itachi has always given you flowers every week, this only changed to the quantity of them doubled. he needs to gift the child the flowers too. you don't know this but one of the flowers are always placed on itachi's hokage desk so he knows when it's time to change them. he also tends to them when he's at home with you. easy to observe.

when you start gaining weight and feeling insecure about it, itachi is more than happy to give you a ted-talk, and if needed… show you how perfect you are by loving you. of course he has read he needs to be slow and gentler while making love. your unhinged thirst and his unhinged lust that comes out at times needs to, and has to wait for now.

itachi brings you monthly gifts to commemorate your pregnancy, every month a little trinket of appreciation for his wife. some days it can be extremely materialistic, some days it's a beautifully handwritten letter from itachi that he wrote while you were asleep.

itachi loves to talk to the baby, leaning against the headboard while you lean against his chest, he rubs your belly and muses, talking to them about how this world is something he promises would be a safe space. how they don't have to be a ninja if they don't want to. how he will try to balance his work duties and the duties of being the 'best' otou san!

when you feel nausea and the joint pain, itachi is there for relief. always bringing foods that reduce the restlessness. since you can't be too dependent on the medications as a pregnant lady.

itachi loves taking bubble baths with you, soothingly massage your body and just let you relax. he's figured out which scented candle you like during pregnancy mostly by the ick in your facial expressions alone. DAMN HE'S THE BEST MAN EVER I WOULD CRY

[cooliogirl101]

(Because I want Reina throwing the canon!verse into chaos)

"Absolutely not. I won't allow it!" Hiashi raged, slamming both hands onto the table.

"Unfortunately, we may have no choice. Konoha cannot afford another war at this moment." The Sandaime sighed, looking every single one of his years at that moment. "Not when we are still recovering from the Kyuubi attack."

"Still, what kind of precedence does this set? That we allow foreign nin to kidnap our children and steal our bloodlines, and yet we are the ones to pay retribution?" Inoichi asked sharply. "You say we cannot afford another war, but surely we also cannot afford to look this weak in front of our enemies."

"What Inoichi said. After what those bloodline-stealing, clouds-for-brains ninja tried to pull? If anything, they should be worried about us declaring war on them," Inuzuka Tsume snarled.

"This move buys us time while we build up strength," Utatane Koharu argued. She shot Hiashi a sharp look. "This wouldn't have been necessary had you the foresight to show a little restraint. I don't know what you were thinking, killing off a high-ranking Kumo nin with diplomatic immunity--"

"He took my daughter--"

"He was evidence--"

"Enough," Hizashi spoke up quietly. "If this will save lives and ensure the safety of the Byakugan, then I am willing. I can think of no more honorable way to serve my village and my clan."

"Try living," a new voice called from outside the doors, a split second before they opened and a vaguely familiar woman walked in. She was startlingly pretty, Hizashi couldn't help but notice-- delicate, almost elvish features, bluish-black hair tied up in a casual twist, deep blue eyes with a hint of mischief within.

Amidst all the ninja stiffening in alarm, Hizashi noticed Uchiha Fugaku letting out a low groan, pinching the bridge of his nose in an uncharacteristic display of emotion.

"Kobayashi-san," the Hokage said, eyeing her with...wariness? What was going on? "This is a classified meeting."

"Yes, you really do need to work on your security seals, Sandaime-sama, they're terribly outdated," she mused. "I do apologize for the intrusion but I admit to feeling rather worried after I overheard this esteemed council seriously consider handing one of Konoha's most valuable dojutsu over to Kumo on a silver platter." She clasped her hands behind her back, offering him a falsely bright smile. "As a tax-paying citizen of Konoha, you'll take my concerns into consideration, I hope."

Across the table, Nara Shikaku snorted at the blatant sarcasm in those words.

"Reina-san--" Fugaku growled. The woman--Reina-- waved at him cheerfully.

"Hi Fugaku-san! Mikoto-chan would like you to pick up some tomatoes on your way back. Sasuke-kun got into the pantry again, so we're out." She shook her head fondly. "That boy, honestly. I don't know what to do with him."

Next to him, Hiashi choked on his spit while most of the room stared at her in disbelief (with the exception of Tsume, who was currently stiffing her laughter behind a fist). With an abrupt start, Hizashi remembered where he'd seen this woman before. It had been a popular topic of gossip the past few days, when the Uchiha Matriarch had, seemingly out of nowhere, struck up a close friendship with a civilian woman who made a living decorating cakes and cookies.

Hizashi glanced at the woman standing calmly in front of them, having effortlessly broken into one of Konoha's most secure buildings, completely unconcerned by being in a room full of Konoha's most powerful and influential ninja.

If she was a civilian, he'd eat his shoes.

"We wouldn't be 'handing the Byakugan over on a silver platter,' girl," Danzo scoffed, narrowing his eyes. "Don't speak of things you don't understand."

"Oh? Because by my understanding, you were planning on sacrificing Hizashi-san's life for his brother's and just hoping the Caged Bird Seal does its job and prevents Kumo from utilizing the Byakuyan," she said sweetly. "The problem with that plan, of course, is that the Caged Bird Seal is an absolute atrocity and an embarrassment to fuuinjutsu, designed by someone who cared more about enslaving his family members than actually protecting his bloodline."

"The Caged Bird Seal is infallible," Hizashi interjected before he could stop himself, voice hoarse. It was infallible because it had to be-- because if it could fail, then his and his son's suffering meant nothing.

An unreadable expression crossed her face.

"Is it?" She asked softly. "Why don't you ask your son that?"

She turned towards the door.

"Neji-kun, come inside for a moment, will you?"

His son walked inside, forehead bare as the day he was born, and Hizashi's world shattered.

~~

"How? How did you remove the Caged Bird Seal?!"

"What, like it's hard?"

~~

"So you've proven that the Caged Bird Seal can be removed," Danzo glared at her. "That does not solve our problem; in fact, it worsens it."

"Danzo is right," the Sandaime agreed. "Kumo will still demand payment in blood and--"

"No, they won't." Reina tilted her head to the side. "Oh, I probably should have started with that. Yeah, they retracted their demand for Hyuuga-san's life, and send along their most sincere apologies for what happened, and their most sincere assurances that they had no idea their head ninja was planning such a thing, blah, blah, blah. You're welcome."

There was a long silence. It was the first time Hizashi had ever seen Sarutobi Hiruzen speechless. He probably would have enjoyed it more had he not been so focused on keeping his own mouth from dropping open.

"Um, excuse me. What?" Inoichi asked, sounding as gobsmacked as Hizashi felt.

"How the hell did you manage that?" Tsume exploded.

"Passed along a message?" Reina shrugged. "Although to be honest, it wasn't so much the content of the message as much as the method of delivery."

"Reina-san," Fugaku said, voice low and laced with dread. "What did you do?"

She grinned, twirling around a very familiar looking kunai-- one that Konoha hadn't seen in a very long time. Next to him, Hiashi drew in a sharp breath.

"Did you know A has one of these just lying around in his office? Probably in an attempt to deconstruct it. But oh man, you should have seen his face when I popped in!" She laughed. "Or should I say, flashed in. Never seen a man turn white so quickly! That was totally worth the motion sickness."

Kumo, after Reina breaks into their Kage’s office with an S-Class jutsu that was thought extinct but still gives like half the ninja world PTSD: I’m sorry Konoha, I wasn’t familiar with your game

(In Reina's world, there's like half a dozen people who know the Hiraishin, although obviously Minato's the best at it. Reina learned because after what happened with Obito and Rin, she wanted a way to teleport instantly to her precious people in order to provide emergency medical care (she also was on standby while Minato was developing it, just in case of any teleporting mishaps/he ended up needing any limbs reattached). She doesn't use it for combat though and dislikes using the jutsu as it gives her motion sickness. Kushina also technically knows it but doesn't have the chakra control to use it effectively. Kakashi and Orochimaru also know how to use it, and Minato plans on teaching Naruto one day as well. Which is a sharp contrast to the canon world, where the number is like zero).

[senjutsunade]

Do you think Tsunade made Kakashi her successor because all of the Kage expected it, Shikaku advised it and he was pretty much the shoe in when she was out for the count, a choice that everyone just settled on in the moment. Or do you think he would have been her own choice as well. If not Kakashi who else would Tsunade nominate in Kakashi's stead. Or would she just have continued on until Naruto was eventually ready.

Anon-san, you are one evil creature, okay?! pointed look

Anyhow, for the sake of the fandom, let's tackle this one.

The simplest answer to this is, there was no one else. Ironic, right? And pretty sad too.

But the same was true for Tsunade's own turn.

After the Second and Third Wars, too many high-ranked shinobi died.

Let's talk about all the ones who had the potential to be Hokage.

Since Sarutobi's own Team 7 adventures, it seems like he was orchestrating a grand narrative with a recurring motif.

The trend started with the Sannin—his own team. From his three students, Orochimaru was considered to be the 'successor' for the longest time. How that story unfolded is another tangled web.

Following having one potential successor, Sarutobi did not stop there. He needed more. And who better than to have Hashirama's own blood? Again, Team 7 came into play, this time led by Orochimaru (see the tradition?). Another idea linked to this, which used to be a headcanon for Skye, was that Fugaku used to be on that team alongside Nawaki. The idea of having a Senju and an Uchiha on the same team, that too under Sarutobi's own student, was almost like bringing the two clans under his control. Yet fate, of course, had another plan—Nawaki died a genin, and Fugaku (and the mystery teammate) were placed on another cell. This disbanded Team 7.

Sarutobi, of course, couldn't help but try again—where Orochimaru had failed, Jiraiya was expected to succeed. And so the toad sage was the new sensei of a new Team 7 cell. This one had an unexpected prodigy—one Namikaze Minato. This time, Sarutobi's experiment was successful. A new potential Kage rose to fame. The sparkly brat burned too bright and then ended up a martyr.

But before that, his own Team 7 cell was put to the test, and from that, we get one Hatake Kakashi. Curse of Team 7 may be as strong as Shodai's necklace, honestly.

Other candidates who had the potential to be Hokage were a quite a few, starting with Uchiha Fugaku. His performance in the war was legendary. Had events not played out as they had, Fugaku would have been the ideal candidate.

Kato Dan was another potential candidate—for my muse's sake, he should have been Hokage. Maybe we would have had a better Konoha, after all. But the curse got to him too. He died before he could reach his dream.

Hatake Sakumo was another shinobi who had the potential to be Hokage. Another tragedy. Had he lived, Tsunade and Kakashi would have been spared a lot of backaches caused by paperwork. Maybe he thought the alternative was better? Cough.

Anyhow, Tsunade became Hokage because, with the situation Konoha was in, there was a need for someone of the Sannin's level. With Orochimaru as the enemy, it made sense to have another Sannin take the lead. Jiraiya was considered, but Jiraiya is more loyal to the prophecy than the village—sue me. But that is what I believe.

That left Tsunade. Kakashi MAY have been considered, but he was still too young, and the memory of Minato was still too fresh. The role fell to the last Senju.

For her own successor, from early on, it was clear it would be Kakashi. It wasn't about wanting the position anymore. The one who wanted it didn't survive. So the responsibility fell upon the ones who had never wanted to have anything to do with the position. Kakashi was Tsunade's right-hand man from the get-go. They both knew their roles and both filled them because they saw the position as not a dream but a responsibility as well as a burden that was theirs to bear. As if it could make all their sacrifices worth it. Fools.

Kakashi was the successor because who else could it be?

Gai had the skills but not the political mindset.

Nara Shikaku had the brains for the job but not the physical skill to match it.

Kakashi checked all the boxes.

His reputation in all of the shinobi nations was strong. Enemies feared him. Allies respected him. The Hatake clan itself was known for its loyalty to Konoha. His record is second only to the Sannin themselves. He may have never wanted the post, but that was what made him good at the job. And he had a very successful 12 years, right?

[historias-multorum]

"Are you implying that Fugaku Uchiha is also a thot? And that my thot-ness is genetic?!"

@mused-like-roses

[acanthawrites]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55929904/chapters/168183133

Muse

Pairing: Sasuke x Naruto

Rating: Explicit

Excerpt:

“Stories,” Madara sneered, yanking a coiled wire from his boot. “Fugaku was a custodian of dust. Mikoto deserved a patron, not a caretaker.” He gripped Sasuke’s hair, wrenching him upright. “She could’ve been sublime. She could have lived, instead, she settled for… domesticity.”

Sasuke thrashed, scalp screaming. “She hated you.”

Madara dragged him toward the sluice gates, the river’s murmur swelling into a roar. “Hate is a luxury of the mediocre.”

The banks stank of decay—rotting leaves, stagnant water. Madara’s gun pressed between Sasuke’s shoulders, nudging him forward.

“What did you mean—she could’ve lived?”

Bonus content:

Sasuke’s theme

[beewolfwrites]

Olive Branch: Chapter Nine - Her Trusted Partner

(Itasaku, Successful Coup AU) You can find the previous chapters on my masterlist at the top of my account page.

I really need to make myself an update schedule :')

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

_____________________________________

Sakura almost had a heart attack when she turned to see Itachi leaning against the doorframe of her kitchen. The bowl of miso soup she was holding slipped through her fingers, and would have shattered against the tile floor had she not come to her senses and caught it just in time. Aside from a few splatters that flew from the bowl, her soup was saved. Mostly.

‘That was your fault,’ she hissed. Grabbing a cloth from the countertop, she crouched down and mopped at the spilled soup.

‘I have a mission for us.’

She scrubbed the tiles furiously. ‘Tell your father that we don't need anymore herbs. The hospital has more than enough to last us for the next month, provided we don't have an epidemic anytime soon.’

‘It's an infiltration mission in Kirigakure.’

Her head snapped up. Itachi was smiling wryly. No. She couldn't have possibly heard that right. An infiltration mission? It had to be a mistake. Fugaku would never send her on a field mission. Even the missions pertaining outbreaks in rural villages were usually given to other medics deemed less likely to conspire behind his back with one of the legendary sannin. Itachi's words swam around in her head until something clicked.

‘Us? You're not just an escort?’

‘I’ve requested your presence as my partner,’ he said. ‘We'll be working together.’

Without thinking, she leapt up and threw her arms around him. 

I can’t believe it! A mission. 

But it wasn’t just any mission. One where she was a partner. An equal. For once, she wasn't going to be closely monitored or chaperoned out of distrust. How could she even begin to repay him for something this incredible?

Homemade dango it is! 

As her initial excitement wore off, she gradually became aware that Itachi was stiff as concrete beneath her arms. Mortification swept over her as she realised that she had probably jumped the gun somewhere. Even if she knew him better than she ever had before, she didn’t really know where she stood with him. And relationships aside, it was obvious that Itachi wasn’t exactly a touchy-feely guy. 

Mortified down to her bones, Sakura had started to release him when she suddenly felt his hand on the small of her back. It was a simple gesture. One that suggested he was trying to diffuse the strangeness of the situation, even if it didn't really help. She appreciated it nonetheless.

‘You're welcome, Sakura,’ he said. When she backed away from him, he added, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the gates. Pack enough for an indefinite amount of time, and make sure to include civilian clothing. You're going to need it.’

She nodded, trying not to squeal in excitement. ‘I'll be there.’

He inclined his head, and with a single hand sign, his body split, disintegrating into a swirl of glossy crows that arched their wings and disappeared through the window. When the last crow had flown, the kitchen was silent. 

Finally alone, Sakura performed a small victory dance, twirling in the middle of her kitchen. But her good news was wasted on an empty kitchen — she needed to share it with everyone. Grinning and humming, she grabbed a sweater and headed out to track down her team. 

This time, the ramen was on her.

_______________________________

‘I'm surprised. Naruto is usually the first one here,’ Sakura mused, nursing her bottle of sake. 

On either side of her, Kakashi and Sasuke hummed in agreement. The booth was warm and the scent of ramen was hot and salty and oh so tempting. But it wouldn't be fair to start eating without Naruto. Sasuke and Kakashi had opted for water to start with, whereas Sakura had been in the mood for something a little stronger. She sipped her sake to dampen her hunger.

‘Give him time,’ Kakashi said. ‘I’m sure he'll have a good reason.’

‘I know, I know. I just…’

‘You just what?’ Kakashi prompted.

She thought it over, wondering whether or not she should spill the good news already. She wanted to wait until the team was all together, but then again, it wouldn't matter too much if she told Kakashi and Sasuke first, would it?

‘What is it, Sakura?’ Sasuke asked, and Sakura knew that she wouldn’t be able to stop herself. 

‘I was going to wait until Naruto arrived, but I might as well tell you both,’ she said, ‘I called you all here because I have a mission. And it's not herb picking again.’ A glimmer of intrigue flashed across their features as she whispered excitedly, ‘I can't tell you much, but it's an infiltration mission.’

Kakashi looked pleasantly surprised, yet proud that she was finally getting some field action again. On the other hand, Sasuke's face betrayed a myriad of emotions. He took a careful sip of his water. 

‘My father never gives you missions like that,’ he said. ‘How did you manage to convince him?’

‘I didn't. Your majestic unicorn of a brother did.’

‘My my,’ Kakashi murmured. ‘Itachi-san, hm?’ 

‘Nii-san did? He really requested you for a mission?’ 

‘Yep!’ Sakura happily swayed on her stool. ‘For whatever reason, he requires my skills.’

Sasuke was quieter than expected. He seemed to be carefully mulling over this new information, as though he couldn’t quite believe it. And with sudden realisation, Sakura remembered that Sasuke had been in her apartment when Itachi had sent her flowers. Thankfully, he had yet to bring up the bouquet of narcissus, but he was probably suspicious, or at least confused by their relationship.

After a long pause, Sasuke muttered, ‘I guess even he can see that you're being wasted in a herb garden.’

‘Hey, don't hate on the herbs Sasuke-kun. They save more lives than you'd think.’

Sakura was proud that she was finally getting back into the action again. Even though it took Itachi to convince his father, this was a huge step up. If she performed well, there was a chance Fugaku would start trusting her with important missions again. 

‘Before you both leave I'll have to thank him for giving you a chance,’ Sasuke said, then lowered his voice. ‘But Sakura, just be aware. Aniki is very serious. He made Anbu captain at thirteen. He's pretty calculating, and missions with him aren't like missions with Team Seven. He's ruthless and he'll do whatever it takes to complete the mission.’

‘It's true,’ Kakashi added. ‘I’ve worked with Itachi-san in the past. He has his own rules, and he always has a reason for everything he does. So if he gives you an instruction, just do it. Don't challenge him.’

‘Okaay, point taken,’ Sakura said. ‘Though if anything, he sounds like a pretty dependable mission partner.’

Sasuke let out a noise of frustration. His fingers clenched around his glass of water. ’Just don't let it get to you if he seems cold. I’ve heard jounin and Anbu complain about him being a strict captain, but he’s like that to everybody. Even me, sometimes.’

Sakura scowled and downed a cup of sake in one go. It seemed more like they were putting a damper on her good news rather than being pleased that she was finally back on the mission rota. What did they think she would expect? Fun and games? It was irritating, and dare she say it, patronising.

Maybe they're just concerned about my wellbeing. But still…

Beside her, Sasuke sighed. All of his earlier tension seemed to have melted away and now he was gazing into the distance. Sometimes, Sakura wondered if there was more to his relationship with Itachi than he let on. 

The shadows of Danzo’s sly grin flashed through her memory. 

Of course there’s more… but Sasuke would never know. 

‘This mission will be good for you,’ he said. ‘It's been too long since you were allowed to do something like this. And if my brother gets too arrogant, just tell him that you know about the blanket he keeps in back of his wardrobe.’

‘A blanket?’

Sasuke’s mouth curled into a devious smile. ‘Our aunt knitted it for him when he was a child and he used to fall asleep holding it. It's been over twenty years and he's still got it.’

Sakura stifled a giggle as she downed the last of her sake straight from the bottle. ‘Oh I’m definitely keeping that in my arsenal.’

Itachi Uchiha… killer of the Sandaime, the Hokage’s Right-Hand-Man, Genjutsu extraordinaire, master of the Sharingan, and lover of soft blankets.

No! The mental image just seemed so wrong. 

Regardless of his softer, dango-loving and cafe-hopping side, Itachi was terrifying to most. Despite knowing him through Sasuke, Sakura had always been wary of Itachi whenever she saw him in the streets.

One time, roughly a year before the coup took place, she had been chased across the Academy yard by a group of girls who were throwing pieces of leftover food from lunch. They laughed and teased Sakura endlessly as she sprinted through the gates with clumps of rice speckled all over her forehead and in her hair. 

She had rounded the corner of the street, only to slam straight into someone. Her knees buckled, and she would have fallen to the ground if not for the hand clasped around her arm. When she opened her eyes, a breathless scream tore through her. His eyes were bright red, bloody and piercing, and his black hair cast twisted shadows across his face. His hand released her arm, only to loom inches from her face, and out of sheer terror Sakura scrambled to her feet and set off home, weeping every step of the way.

At the time, she had been scared out of her wits by the strange crimson-eyed boy who looked faintly like the vampires she read about in books. But in retrospect, Itachi had likely been on his way to collect Sasuke from the Academy. And he hadn’t reached out to strangle her or drink her blood, but to brush the rice from her hair. 

Now, as she signalled for another bottle of sake, Sakura thought back on the incident with fondness. 

It’s funny how things turn out—

‘Oi, get off me! I'm only going to Ichiraku ramen! What's the big idea?!’

Naruto?

Sakura leapt off her stool, out of the booth and into the street. Behind her, Kakashi and Sasuke did the same, and she felt the tense surge of their chakra signatures as a patrol officer appeared, dragging a writhing Naruto toward them by his jacket collar.

‘You bastard! Let go of me!’ 

Naruto kicked at the officer who deftly avoided his blows as though they were dealt by a small child throwing a tantrum. At the sight of Team Seven, the officer hurled Naruto toward them. Sakura and Kakashi kneeled to catch him as he skidded across the dirt.

Sakura's eyes zeroed in on the number of gashes and bruises decorating Naruto's shins and hands. His left cheek was already swollen and red. ‘What's going on?’

Kakashi's eye narrowed. ‘Explain yourself.’

The officer coldly looked between them. ‘Your monkey over there was at the gates of the Hyuuga compound attempting to engage the guards in battle.’

Kakashi stepped forward, but a yell from Naruto cut him off before he could respond. ‘Yeah, because your bastard friends were bothering Hinata-chan!’

The officer flashed his Sharingan at Naruto, who stood his ground and met the officer's gaze squarely. ‘My “bastard friends”, your superior officers, are merely doing their job. It is not your place to interfere.’ 

Ignoring Naruto's demands to turn around and fight him, the officer’s eyes roamed over Sakura. He muttered something under his breath, quietly as so not to draw attention, but loud enough that their trained ears heard it clear as day.

‘Traitor.'

Sakura's fists curled, her nails embedding into her palms. Naruto's jaw tightened. He opened his mouth to hurl an insult, when Kakashi spoke in a low and dangerous tone. 

‘You're going to have to leave.’

‘You're asking me to leave?’

‘I am.’

‘And if I don’t?’

‘If you don’t,’ Kakashi said quietly, ‘I will force you. And if that happens, you're going to wish you'd chosen to walk away of your own volition.’

The officer's mouth tilted into a sneer. ‘What are you going to do, use your Sharingan on me?’

Kakashi's remaining eye widened briefly, then closed with barely restrained fury. Sakura’s heart skipped a beat at the cruelty of such a comment.

How dare he! How dare he bring that up!

Sakura’s patience shattered at the officer’s smug expression. Deep down, she knew that no matter the ramifications of her actions tonight, it wouldn't matter. She wouldn't care, because at least she'd have stuck one up for Kakashi. Her fist shot out, electric blue and charged with chakra, toward the officer's chin. But before it could make contact, a hand clamped down on her wrist.

‘Etsuji.’ 

Calm and collected, Sasuke spoke with an air that demanded authority. He looked at Sakura, and she instantly knew that he was asking her to stand down and trust in him. She nodded and he released her wrist.

The officer bowed stiffly. ‘Yes, Sasuke-sama?’

‘You will leave quietly, and you're going to forget that this incident ever happened,’ Sasuke told him. ‘And if you don't, you can forget all about that promotion you've been pestering my father for.’

With a flicker of annoyance, the officer bowed once more. This time, the gesture was exaggerated and satirical. Sasuke's lips thinned at the action, but he said nothing.

‘Very well,’ the officer said. ‘Have a good evening, Sasuke-sama.’

Without a backward glance, the officer left Team Seven standing outside Ichiraku. At first nobody moved or spoke, their evening tainted by the events that had just occurred, and by the prying eyes and whispers that now swept along the street. 

It was Sasuke who finally muttered, ‘I'll speak to my father. He's not getting that promotion either way.’

__________________________________

Itachi knew she wouldn't be late. 

The streets were desolate at this time of morning, partially due to the fact that the sun had not yet risen, but also because the curfew was still active for another hour yet. Anyone without a pass or mission slip would be stopped and questioned. 

He was waiting by the gate, prepared and ready to depart. Above him, atop of the village walls, the last stretch of the night patrol was watching him idly. Well, some were watching. Others had likely fallen asleep on the job.

His father hadn’t given him the mission scroll — this was far too risky should somebody get their hands on it — but he had every last detail committed to memory. Not that there was much to memorise. The mission itself was self-explanatory. Get into Kirigakure, find out what they can about the Mizukage's plans toward Konoha and the mysterious seal they found on the Kiri nin's tongue, then get out. Fast.

There was a sharp intake of breath from one of the guards above. Itachi looked up. 

And there she was. 

She was dressed inconspicuously in black shinobi gear, her pack strapped to her back, expression determined yet hesitant. She glanced up at the officers on the village walls, her hand tightly clutching a scrap of paper — her mission slip. 

He understood her trepidation. She was expecting to be stopped at any moment, apprehended perhaps, or even dragged to the Hokage’s office. And so, Itachi stepped forward to greet her. 

‘Sakura.’ 

Something flickered in her expression. Relief. Did his presence truly bring her such comfort? The thought disturbed him somewhat, but Itachi pushed it aside for now. With a nod, he gestured to the shinobi at mission register who jotted down their names and time of departure. 

Then silently, they disappeared into the foliage.

[blue-15000]

Notes for Ch. 12 of To Be a Kunoichi

Hello all,

I took a minute to clear my head, did some plotting, and am now back!

First, I wanted to drop my musings on clan/village dynamics. It's really interesting.

In fics, there's often a council made up of clan heads or representatives, alongside Hiruzen's best nepotism friends and often civilian representatives as well. This is complete fanon: in canon, the council only consists of Hiruzen's old genin buddies, and I stick to canon wherever possible, and have a policy of only adding to canon where there are holes in information; for example, canon does not comment much on women's rights and sexism. There is no canon information that contradicts the idea that it is dangerous/extremely unusual for women to travel without their husbands or male relatives, an idea that is present in my fic.

That leaves the question - what do clan heads actually do? Being a liaison between the clan and the village is a sensible answer, but not one supported by canon. We see Fugaku and Hiashi handle some internal matters, and we also see that clans tend to segregate from the village. We also know that clans have their own cultural and sometimes religious practices (think the Uzumaki temple with the masks, or the Uchiha shrine with religious texts that can only be read with the sharingan).

We also know that clan techniques and kekkei genkai are often internal matters - a lot of this information seems to be highly secretive and transmitted culturally. For example, Kakashi seemed to have been unaware he had the Mangekyo Sharingan, because unlike Itachi/Sasuke/what have you, he did not have cultural access to the Uchiha shrine. There are other techniques that are WHOLLY a matter of culture: the Yamanaka/Nara/Akimichi techniques spring to mind, and the Inuzuka/Aburame techniques seem to be a blend of nature and nurture.

The glaring issue with clans and clan heads is that it creates an internal division within the village: what if the best interests of the clan are not the best interests of the village? What if shinobi are loyal first and foremost to their kin, their clan head, over the Hokage? This is compounded if they live in separate areas from clanless shinobi and civilians. Obviously in canon this came to a head with the Uchiha massacre. Clans probably only still exist because they have managed to keep their cultural knowledge from becoming general knowledge to the village: if any old schmuck could teach a shinobi how to use Nara clan techniques, the village would have no further use for the Nara as a distinct cultural and possibly legal unit (seriously - that's the only way I can imagine the Caged Bird Seal being legal, if clans are also distinct LEGAL units). The village is aware of this. The clans are also aware of it. It's a constant tension.

Then we get to my fic! Naruto, in my universe, has inherited the Uzumaki talent for chakra sensing, much like other characters like Nagato and Karin. She has also just realised some of the implications of her talent: it gives her a huge leg up in understanding the form and function of seals. If she had a living mother, or if Uzushio had not fallen, she would have grown up knowing not only that her extra sense is a chakra sensing ability, but that its purpose is to help sealing techniques. Even if Kushina, her mother, hadn't inherited the predisposition, she would have had aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins to teach her. By the time she was toddling they would have been honing her abilities, e.g. playing hide and seek to increase her sensing range, and by the time she could write her own name they would be starting her on sealing techniques.

I feel that a child like Naruto - who has inherited quite strong tendencies for the Uzumaki techniques - would have been considered a blessing, of good luck to her family, as Kushina was. Had Uzushio not fallen, Kushina and Naruto would represent a cadet branch of the clan's head family: in my fic, Kushina was the youngest of four siblings, not expected by anyone to inherit any positions, and thus sent to Konoha like Mito (also a youngest sibling of the main family - so Kushina's great-aunt) as a symbol of good will between the Uzumaki and Senju. Maybe some young Senju would also have spent time in Uzushio in a similar exchange - and that might be relevant later.

What Naruto has lost is not only personal: her mother, and earlier, her extended family, but cultural. The Uzumaki would have likely had cultural beliefs around sealing and sensing, ranging from etiquette (it's rude to use your sensory ability at a friend's house - means you don't trust them), to religious (e.g. creating seals as a means of prayer, meditation, or worship). This is a tremendous loss, one she is feeling in the fic right now moreso than the personal - she doesn't know about Kushina, at this point, but is aware that she belongs to a largely defunct clan.

I can't even remember where I was going with this. Ope. The point is that the clan system is difficult to understand, and that I am trying to make it make sense while also sticking to what canon showed.

This arc has been renamed to Red Sky at Morning, from the phrase "red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky at morning, sailor's warning." Sometimes I hear shepherd instead of sailor, same difference, I suppose. Also obviously it has connections to the actual main villains of Naruto.

This chapter kicked my ASS. I got horrible second-hand embarrassment writing about Nart opening gifts. I got second-hand embarrassment when she cried in the kitchen, and when Itachi showed up, and in basically every scene. I cringed my way through writing it, it is intended to be awkward (tweenage girl has her first birthday party while her adult male teammates try desperately to both ignore and make up for what they all just went through). Shisui probably begged Itachi to go with him for moral support, realising too late that Itachi is even MORE awkward and shy than Naruto is. In earlier drafts, she came away from this party with a preadolescent crush on Itachi because he has nice hair and is polite. The crush might still happen, but at a later date. It will never be reciprocated or go anywhere, she just thinks he's pretty.

I found out too late that birthdays are not as big a deal in Japan as they are in the west, so I papered over the cracks by adding a line about birthdays being more important to shinobi than to the dominant culture, because shinobi die young more often. Oh well.

I think Jiraiya's character suffers from a number of unfortunate misunderstandings in the fandom. One - the english translation, which calls him Naruto's godfather. In Christian cultures, a godfather/mother has the responsibility to raise the child if something happens to the parents, which makes Jiraiya look like a right arsehole. But he isn't Naruto's godfather, but rather, the person who named him. Traditionally (as in, a long time ago, from what I can tell), an older family member/important family friend would choose a child's new name when they came of age. The "godfather" scene is just meant to show how much Minato respects Jiraiya, Jiraiya doesn't have more obligations to Naruto than, say, Kakashi or Hiruzen.

He also is written for comic relief in a time when misogynistic jokes were much more prevalent. We're not meant to take his actions seriously, although of course they amount to sexual harassment. I shall try to strike a middle ground with him: well-meaning, perhaps a bit chauvinistic (he DEFINITELY calls waitresses sweetheart), but ultimately a kind person. This is not to erase his actions in canon, but to try to interpret his character in the spirit in which it was meant. Kasumi hates him for unrelated reasons.

I'm actually kind of pro-Jiraiya, sorry guys. Maybe it's that he reminds me of my dad and his brothers, maybe it's that I find the idea of "Naruto, but he gave up on Sasuke" very interesting. And pervy sage is a banger of a nickname. He's also my dad's favorite character, we used to watch Naruto together when I was a little lad of eight T-T

Unrelated trivia: my mum banned me from watching Naruto Shippuden for several years because she thought it was too violent.

Tenzo <3

What to say about Tenzo? He's full of solid advice. He doesn't have nearly as much baggage when it comes to Naruto (Shisui has his younger cousins, Kakashi has... all of that), and, I think, treats her with the most respect of any of their teammates. He was a baby ten year old ANBU too, he doesn't disregard her because of her age.

OK I lied: his advice is not always solid, but he's doing his best. I imagine the "focus on what you can DO" attitude helped him a lot in his recovery from being Orochimaru's prisoner. It helped him not feel so powerless, and now, he's helping Naruto. Naruto, in my fic, struggles a lot with feeling helpless, because, well, she often is. This fic is about Naruto taking control of her own life and destiny as it is about anything else in the plot.

[thetoaddaddy]

It's been a few weeks and Fugaku has visited Jiraiya several times for low key meet ups. Nothing big or extravagant. Until today. He instructs his lover to dress up and sends him an invite to the most expensive restaurant in the friggen village. When he arrives, he finds that Fugaku had reserved a private room.

Jiraiya thanks the seating hostess before taking his sandals off and stepping into the room. It’s quiet. Intimate. He takes a seat. He hopes he dressed nice enough. It’s a different look from the normal more bright colours of his daily outfit. This was more traditional with dark colours and the proper layers that he tied properly. Jiraiya for once looks proper enough to be with the Uchiha clan head. He even did his hair. Fugaku made it sound very important so that’s a good enough reason to learn how to twist back his bangs off his face. Plus it’s the first time they’ve really gone out somewhere. Now that the buzz of the relationship was fading off the public’s mind it was less awkward to actually go out.

“This place is nice… I’ve been wanting to eat here for awhile.” He muses out loud as he takes in the old traditional looking room and decor. For some reason he was a little nervous. The quietness of the room didn’t help.

[fighterbound]

Heated Hot Springs for sasuke and sakura !!

Sasuke sinks into the hot water with a rare sigh. One of the few perks of traveling with his family during their yearly holiday trip is this. Private hot springs. His mother's unrefusable request when putting together the trip. It's a responsibility Sasuke would never want, from what he hears it's worse than putting his father's campaign together.

Uchihas from all over the world coming together as a clan and facilitating good relations with each other. His father's words, which Sasuke knows he got from his mother. She's the word smith.

The other perk is that it's completely paid for, Sakura and himself don't have to buy anything. A free vacation, but it's saddled with family politics and drama. Along with having to spend time with his father disapproving glare. Sometimes it doesn't feel like they're getting a good deal out of this. They make the most of it though. Laugh about shit when they're in their room and when they get home. Plus some of his cousins aren't too terrible either, like Shisui and Obito.

Hearing the door to their private hot spring open, Sasuke lifts his head. There's no shame in him as he watches Sakura approach. Nor is it there in the way his eyes travel along her figure, appreciating the sight. Enough so his gaze grows heated with desire. When he meets her jade eyes, he pushes himself off the rock he was leaning against. Moving towards her with intentions of getting his hands and mouth on her.

At least that's the plan until a voice cuts through every heated thought he had about his girlfriend.

"Sasuke honey, Sakura darling." His mother calls over the divider between them. " Please remember Fugaku and myself are right next to you two."

Send ‘Heated Hot Springs’ For the sending muse to find the receiving muse bathing in a hot spring nude. / @soulsballad

[rosegardxn]

“Father. Why hasn’t a woman ever been head of the clan?” Itsuki stood straight, tone respectful as she asked Fugaku the question. Though on the inside, she felt annoyed. And admittedly, a little hurt. Every picture she had found from past generations. Men, men, men. She knew her clan was more of the traditional sense. But deep down, her heart ached a little, at the knowledge that just because she was born female, she would always be ranked at a lower place. That her father didn’t believe she could handle such a responsibility. “I asked Mother this morning, but she said I should ask you.” She continued, hiding her inter conflict. (I am not ashamed to admit I’ve been excited to interact with the man lol) @twinuchiha

Daughters were never easy- he couldn't understand how Inoichi or Kizashi did it. Fugaku tried to hold back a sigh, looking over to Mikoto briefly while she motioned for him to continue. Somehow, this was good for him to awnser these hard questions, but he couldn't see how it would be.

"Sit down with me Itsuki." He finally said, his voice low, a little strained and awkward while he tried to find a tone that wouldn't show her how much he was trying. He was the clean leader after all, every other Uchiha looked to him, his children should be able to do the same with the hard questions. He was quiet for a moment while they sat on twin tatami mats, near the opening of the house. The door was open, allowing the freshly bloomed sakura tree to grace their presence.

Finally, he spoke up. "There isn't an easy way to awnser that Itsuki." He wasn't looking at her, his gaze was hard drawn to the trunk of the tree while he tried to think of a way to respond to some more. "I am not sure why- I suppose because of tradition, and who the eldest child is."

"I do not think it is because the women are not capable, they're strong, and we would not be where we are now if it weren't for their support and intelligence." He carefully put a hesitant hand on his daughter's shoulder, smile absent but it always was. "You are as strong as your mother, even if you are not the clan leader, you have valuable traits that will help her brother one day take over in my place."

[fistfuloflightning]

Guess who’s finally working on her old WIPs?!? Fandom burnout is a real and horrible thing, so I’m just glad to have my muse back

Another chapter for my Fugaku fic ;)

[reddawnmultimuse]

Ship! Deidara x Shisui and Itachi x Shisui

Questions you pick on your own <3

[ ( insert rubbing hands together gif )

who is more likely to cheat ? They both hoes, haha. Deidara will fuck whoever looks at him and Shisui gets blackout drunk and either goes on a murder spree or a fucking one. ( based on our muses! ) Besides, you can't cheat if there's no relationship. Though, Shisui is possessive and maybe in his head he owns Deidara.

Now, onto my opinion of Deidara and Shisui--and must I say a thing? I must and so I shall though. Love it. Loveitloveitloveit. Deidara so underestimates Shisui. He thinks he can bully him like he does with Itachi but Shisui doesn't take his bullshit. It's a textbook toxic relationship. If they ain't fighting then they fucking and if they ain't fucking they are fighting. They're always trying to dominate the other. Though, it's a losing battle for Deidara when it comes to Shisui. Delish.

Onto Itachi and Shisui, muhahaha.

who is more emotionally closed off and how does this affect their partner ? Itachi is more emotionally closed off, no doubt. You know for a fact he was raised in a bullshit "men don't show their emotions" household with Fugaku ( imo ). So, Itachi will just bottle it up forever. Hell, he didn't cry until after he killed his father. And it drives Shisui insane ( as demonstrated in one of our threads, hehe ).

So, Itachi and Shisui as a ship though. To be honest, I did not like this pairing before, being in the "but they're cousins" camp once upon time. I have since learned the errors of my way and while I'm ok with the ship now, the one and only Shisui I'll ever ship my Itachi with is @shisui-uchiha-anon because they made me fall in love with Shisui--a character I didn't think twice of before. iloveyouboo! ]

[multi-cannon-rp]

👨 - What is your muse’s relationship like with their father? Is it good, bad, or complicated? (Itachi)

👩 - What is your muse’s relationship like with their mother? Is it good, bad, or complicated? (Sasuke)

👧 - What is your muse’s relationship like with their siblings? Who do they get along with best? (Izuna)

Itachi had a very good relationship with his father. He greatly respected him and would ask him for advice from time to time. Most Jutsu that Itachi knew were taught to him by Fugaku. At least the ones he uses the most. Others he just gathered along the way. One of the hardest things Itachi ever had to do was cut down his father and mother. That broke him, though he would never admit it.

Sasuke was a mama's boy when Itachi wasn't around. Since his mother was really they only one who spent time with him when Itachi was away training or on missions. She taught him how to cook, trained with him, and taught him his daily exercises. If Itachi was unaccessible, Sasuke ran to his mother. Even if he often voiced how much better his brother was at things and pout about being left behind.

Izuna worships Madara. There is no one more important to him than his older brother. Izuna was the baby of the family and did have more than one sibling. However, he was too young to remember much about them before their death. So, Madara was the sibling he was closest to. They trained together, spared each other, and did many things together. He was greatly upset when Madara said that Hashirama was stronger than him. Because to Izuna, no one could ever be strong the Madara. Also, Madara is the only one who can ask Izuna to do something (even unreasonable), and Izuna would do it, no questions asked.

[tranquil-turbulence]

SS Month ‘23 - Day 19

Day 18 | Day 19 | Day 20

Prompt: Corporate

WARNING(S): N/A

“Miss Haruno,” the speaker on her desk crackled to life and she paused in her work to listen. “I’m here with some data for Naruto.”

“Got it, Mr. Uchiha.” The secretary tapped on her intercom and stated, “Naruto, Mr. Uchiha is here.”

“Okay, Sakura-chan!” Her blond boss answered. “Thank you!”

She hummed in response and returned to her work. When she glanced up through the giant glass windows of her office, she could see her boss’s best friend casually making his way through the floor’s lobby. He caught her eye and nodded deferentially, and she returned the gesture as she looked back to her work.

A smile graced her lips as she heard Naruto’s loud voice greeting him. It was never a dull moment with the man, and he sure had his ways of worming his way into your good graces. When she’d accepted an internship with his father several years prior, she hadn’t expected his son to take over so soon, let alone that he knew anything about the business. Yet here he was now, all grown up and matured - yet with a bit of a childish nature and a playful demeanor around his favorite employees.

Sasuke Uchiha, on the other hand, was polite at best and downright aloof at worst. From what she’d gathered, they’d grown up together as playmates and later as friends, given their mothers’ strong friendship. For a while there was a rumor that Naruto would be the one to succeed Fugaku at Uchiha Corp, but at the last moment, his younger son accepted the role and was being trained to become the CEO.

With a heaving sigh, she leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms above her head. She squirmed and yawned. “Break time, I think,” she murmured to herself as she stood from the chair.

She made her way to the minifridge on the wall between her and Naruto’s offices. Stooping, she peered into it and grabbed an iced coffee before straightening up and taking a protein bar from the shelf above.

As she settled back down at her desk, Naruto opened the door with a beaming grin, Sasuke right behind. “Sakura-chan! Come to lunch with us!”

She paused in her chewing, staring at him incredulously. Swallowing the bite, she deadpanned, “Naruto, lunch is in two hours.”

“Then we’ll get brunch! C’mon, please?”

She glanced from him to Sasuke. The dark-haired young man shook his head in amusement, a “what can you do” that meant he was likely in a good mood today.

With a sigh, she stood from the desk and tucked the protein bar back into its wrapper. “Alright, fine. I suppose I could go for a proper meal.”

Her boss cheered, and she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. His enthusiasm for life was infectious.

 ----------

 “Alright, I’m starving!” Naruto leaned forward with a grin. “This is fun! We never get to go out together anymore.”

Sasuke hummed in reply.

Everything on the menu looked too good to choose. Chewing thoughtfully on her lip, the young woman glanced through it again. What was she in the mood for? Certainly not a burger, and she’d eaten breakfast only a few hours ago, so she didn’t feel like eggs and bacon. Perhaps a wrap…?

“So, Miss Haruno,” Sasuke spoke up, breaking her train of thought. “What do you think of the company so far?”

Blinking, the rosette lowered her menu and mused, “Hm. It’s run well enough. I was a little worried that it would collapse at first, if I’m to be honest.”

Naruto slumped over a little opposite her. “Your expectations were seriously that low…?”

“No offense, but for the entire time I’ve known you, you don’t exactly give off ‘serious businessman’ vibes.” She shrugged. “But your father’s trained you well. I’m not worried anymore.”

“That’s a good answer.” Sasuke nodded slowly. “Are you content in your position?”

She started to answer, but suddenly Naruto scowled and poked him hard in the side, making him grunt.

“Oh, no, you are not doing this,” he groused. “You are not gonna steal my secretary right in front of me. No way, no how.”

“E- eh--?” Sakura blinked, dumbfounded.

“It’s not ‘stealing’,” Sasuke muttered, shooting the blond a dirty look. “I wanted to gauge exactly how content she is in the role, given how much you brag about her.”

“... eh???”

“I brag ‘cause she’s my best employee!” Naruto turned up his chin. “Tell him, Sakura-chan. You love working for me, right?”

“U- uh…” If this were an anime, she’s sure a comically-large bead of sweat would have trickled down the side of her face. “Yeah, of course…? I wouldn’t have stayed at the company if I hated working there…”

“See? She loves it! You aren’t gonna snatch her out from under my nose, you sneaky bastard.”

Sasuke huffed. To an unobservant eye, it would’ve looked aloof and detached. Sakura had come to know him well enough that he seemed to be pouting.

“So,” she started awkwardly, trying to change the subject, “what were you thinking of getting?”

[kiigan]

ㅤ«At the risk of sounding presumptuous, I believe most people are easy to read - if only one takes the time and patience to search past the superficial layers.»

ㅤWhich indirectly confirmed that, yes, he very much had noticed the slight bump in Senritsu's mood but, at the same time, it also conveyed that he thought of her no less because of it. In a way, it wasn't that she was easy to read, rather that Itachi himself was incredibly perceptive. With everything good and bad that such a skill entailed. And she wasn't much different herself, was she? She also seemed able to catch and understand minute changes, which the Uchiha assumed to be related to some kind of ability he was not yet familiar with. If she'd not belittled him for being caught at such late hour wandering the streets aimlessly like a stray weasel cat, then surely he would offer her the same level of courtesy.

«Nothing to apologize for.»

ㅤLet the topic die there. Sometimes, the only thing we can do with our trauma is to keep it from devouring us whole, by whatever means necessary. Avoidance and repression were nothing to be ashamed of, and he knew it [had forcibly learned it] from extensive self-experience. Also, there was a hearty vegetable soup to look forward to, no need for past tragedies and somber musings. Straightening himself up a little more, ever one to sit in poise and elegance as was to be expected of the heir of one of Konoha's most ancient and noble clans, Itachi caught a strand of rebellious hair behind his ear and then brought his elbow back to the surface of the counter, chin going to rest on that palm. 

ㅤUp until the moment a slight shift in the air caught his attention and his sharingan activated on its own, just in time to predict how Senritsu's hand was about to touch his arm. Which, frankly, he would not have minded. Unprompted touch from strangers was never something he felt comfortable with who knew when was the last time they'd washed their hands, yet this woman so far had been nothing if not kind to him. But that hand stopped midway and dropped like a baby bird flopping off the nest after trying to take flight for the first time, and he respected that choice as well. Spontaneity between them had yet to show bad results, and so his irises once more reverted back to black.

ㅤ«The birth of a sibling,» Itachi repeated, then, his entire demeanor immediately changing when speaking those words and putting a face to them. Like light entering a dark room through a small gap in the ceiling. For what had Sasuke always been, if not the spark that gave meaning to his life? Maybe he could concede defeat in this one part of the argument, without getting too stubborn about it. «I'd never thought of it as a surprise, but you do make a good point.» It made him momentarily wonder, even, what his reaction would be nowadays if their parents were to announce yet another child to come. ...A very awkward thing to think about, somehow. It was so much easier to process for one young enough to not know how babies were made. Pursing his lips, Itachi vehemently pushed any further considerations about Fugaku and Mikoto's intimacy to the very back of his mind, to go hang out with circumstances far more traumatic and far less embarrassing.

ㅤ«I suppose I can also call it a surprise, that I would finish the day bonding with someone over matters as far apart as the shared role of elder sibling and the mutual dislike of fish flavors.»

For a moment, just a moment, Itachis heartmelody changed- became attentive, focused, knowing, like the heartbeat of a cat who had just found a mouse. A limping mouse, caught with taking care of the injury just for a second. Yet the melody was also very gentle- Itachi did not judged her; in fact he had been the mouse before Senritsu figured and felt a spark of worry in her chest. "Mhmmm, am I that easy to read? Really, I thought I was a lot of more misterioso." the woman smiled ruefully up to the other- she could hear that him knowing that there had been something in her mind, that her voice had trailed off just for a second, had made him remember something. She did not knew what, Senritsu was after all not a mindreader although some people felt like she was in fact reading their mind and reacted just as defensive and shamed over her ability, but it did not changed the fact that she could only made assumptions. Beneath her sleeve the scars on her left arm had started to ache, a quiet, soft throbbing like second heartbeat so she did not thoughtfully tapped her fingers against her chin but Senritsu still looked up smiling gently: "Its alright, Itachi-san. No need to sing me that song." Don´t think about that (about the song), she thought. Don´t think about that and burden yourself, Itachi (that song should not be listened to). Don´t think about that and burden yourself, Itachi, that is not yours to carry (its already too much that I had heard the song). "That is nothing you have to know or worry about. I am sorry, you had to notice that. Just forget what you noticed,yes?" there was a long, almost relieved sigh from her lips when a second later Itachi chosed to not comment on her hestiation.

Smiling back Senritsu lifted a hand to get the cooks attention and ordered the vegetable soup for Itachi.

But over the sound of the cook cutting the vegetable,s over the sound of the blubbering soup, over the sound of the tofu beeing grilled before added to the soupbowl, Senritsu heard something else. Something that almost sounded like regret. Automatically the musician reached out for the others arm with a small hand, aiming to lay a hand on his forearm comfortingly. But her hand never reached his arm. But her hand stopped in the middle of the way. But her hand sank down to the wooden counter, tapping a comforting melody against the wood as she would have against his arm. Senritsu did not wanted to make the other uncomfortable, not more than whatever was circling unforgettable in his mind like a neverending echo already made him feel. "What am I hearing?" ,Senritsus voice was very gentle, dancing along the soft act of her fingers against the wood: "Sometimes surprises can be dolce. The birth of a sibling when one is still too young to understand the mechanics? That sure was a surprise for tiny-me, and now I have three younger siblings whom I love very much. Or meeting a stranger with a dolcissimo chuckle in a foreign town. That sure was a surprise, too. And now I am enjoying it and eat soup with him." she smiled reassuringly, winking up to the other playfully. [ @kiigan ]