#no matter how much anbu swear secrecy

[the-naruto-corner]

Itachi & Emotional Manipulation

The question “Would Itachi Uchiha have been an abusive husband/father?” was asked on Quora, and someone responded with a really neat breakdown of Itachi’s barriers for open, healthy relationships (read under the cut).

“Maybe.

Itachi Uchiha was a severely emotionally damaged individual. He was basically a child soldier twice over, and heavily manipulated by unscrupulous individuals for most of his formative years.

What he did to Sasuke was HIGHLY abusive. People might argue that his intentions were good, but there’s a famous statement concerning roads to hell that pertains to that.

And then we have what Itachi did to Izumi. Other answers bring this up as a reason against Itachi becoming abusive, but I see it as even more evidence of his risk.

Because, merciful or not, what he did to Izumi was just as abusive as what he did to Sasuke. Notwithstanding that he killed her, he basically gaslighted her for a subjective span of decades. If she had survived that genjutsu how do you think she would have felt about being made to experience a lifetime of lies?

And finally we can look at how he dealt with his parents. We learn in hindsight that Fugaku willing submitted to death rather than “fight a death match with his son.” If that was indeed the case, don’t you think it likely that he would have rather called off the coup rather than do the same? If Itachi had simply talked to his father, told him the truth, that Konoha knew about the plot and that if it was going to become shooting match Itachi has resolved to side with the village? If at that point Fugaku was willing to call off the coup (without secrecy it was tactically doomed anyways) and then make open peace overtures to Hiruzen (the openness would forestall any schemes that Danzo might try on his own)? The whole tragedy could have been avoided.

But Itachi did not do that. And that was a recurrent pattern in how he dealt with the people he loved. His intentions were always for the best, (as he saw it, anyways), but Itachi decides what best is. Itachi acts on it. Itachi does not talk. Itachi does not ask. Itachi does not consider what the other person might want.

He went as far as to prepare a plan to use Shisui’s eye to brainwash Sasuke in the event Sasuke turned against Konoha, a brainwashing intended to endure for a lifetime.

This is all consistent with how Itachi himself had been treated and indoctrinated and had his own agency stripped from him.

So we have a history of a young man who suffered abuse as a child, with a history of abusive behaviour to a younger brother, abusive behavior to a potential romantic interest, and abusive behavior towards his parents.

A young man who does not communicate openly or honestly with his loved ones, but instead tries to manipulate them with deception and is willing to use special powers to achieve these aims.

This, in the lexicon, is what we call “red flags”.

If he were a patient in a modern therapy practice, he would be considered at high risk to become abusive to future loved ones.

More likely emotionally abusive than physically.

One must never forget that abusers are usually not cackling villains in their own minds. Most do love, or think they love, the people the abuse. They think, or justify to themselves, that what they do is motivated by love and for the victim’s own good, or they convince themselves that what they do is forced on them by the actions of their victim, that they had no choice.

And that is Itachi to a T.

But of course, high risk does not mean certainty. And perhaps the biggest fact in Itachi’s favor is that when he comes back as an Edo Tensei, we find out that he realizes his mistakes. He tells Sasuke that he was wrong to manipulate him and that he should have tried talking first instead. That’s a reasonable basis for healing, if Konoha only had some decent therapists.

If he had survived and gotten himself a wife and a child, perhaps he could have beaten the odds and overcome his psychological challenges.”

Source: https://qr.ae/pNMh0I

[kusunogatari]

[ Debt ] [ @yukaikokoro​ ] [ Uchiha Itachi, Suigin Ryū, Kottakawa Kumiko, Hatake Kakashi ] [ Vulgarity ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ]

While there are many potential pitfalls to this...entire affair, there has been one thing Itachi is both expecting...and yet dreading. As much as he believes he will more than deserve what he gets, that doesn’t soften the daunting prospect of one thing more than anything other:

Receptions of those he’s hurt. Be it directly...or indirectly.

Second life was never in his plans. But...well, no matter the genius you think you are, there will always be wrenches. One he had, admittedly, seen the potential for. It was a rather obvious possible outcome for his actions, after all.

But the odds seemed low. And even if it had happened...he knew he would be dead by then. He’d figured she’d make the logical choice.

But then again...she’s never been the logical type. Her thinking happens in her heart, not her brain.

It’s the only reason he’s here.

...well, it’s one major reason. Being made privy to his mistakes, and their consequences, only furthered his resolve.

And now, he must deal with them.

All of them.

His recovery - while not full, just to manageable lengths to start - takes a few months. Time he spends bed-bound when not pushing his limits in physical therapy, stewing in his thoughts. And all in complete secrecy save for only a half a dozen people. His brother and his teammates, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Ryū. A few more are made aware as part of the latter’s scheming, but the rest of the village has no idea he’s alive, let alone in Konoha, right under their noses.

One kept aside from the plot until the last minute happens to be the named Rokudaime’s fiance. And while Itachi doesn’t envy Kakashi for having to explain keeping that from her...he realizes part of her inevitable fury will target him next.

But given his absence...he doesn’t quite realize to what extent. After all, he was gone for nearly a decade. A great deal of Kumiko’s growing bond with her was left unwitnessed. Its depth is, admittedly, a bit lost on him.

It’s something he’s going to learn very quickly.

After Kakashi’s coronation and the subsequent pardon of the elder Uchiha brother as his first act as Hokage, the trio retreat back inside for a time, waiting for the crowds to disperse. Sasuke takes his leave first, begrudgingly accepting a Hyūga entourage in case of trouble. Not that he can’t handle it, but rather that he shouldn’t. Ryū stays with the remaining brother for a time, the pair of them watching the road below from what will now be Kakashi’s office.

“...you should get home. I’d feel better with someone back with the twins.”

“Aren’t you coming…?”

“Yes, I just...want a moment to think.”

Greys flicker over his face before she gives a nod of understanding, and a soft press of lips to his temple. “...see you soon.”

And then, he’s alone, with full intent to think over his next moves.

But he’s not given the chance.

The door clicks, and his unfocused gaze snaps back to attention. It’s not a signature he recognizes, but he’s more than sure no one without Kakashi’s clearance would be allowed (or manage to get) this close.

“...so…”

A feminine voice, calm but laced with an edge. Shifting dark eyes to one side, he can see a faint reflection in the panes. Sapphire hair, cyan clothes...this must be -

“Kumiko-sama.” The title’s sincere, at the very least regarding her attachment to the sixth, if not her own accomplishments. And his tone is careful, not knowing what to expect. Turning, he gives her an infamously-blank look.

Her own is not quite so well-masked.

There’s a slight tension to her brow, and a hardness to her eyes she doesn’t seem to have any want to hide. Several moments pass where they seem to size one another up - Itachi in slight wariness, and Kumiko in evident consideration of how ruthless to be.

“...I have to admit, I’m still surprised you’re here. But then again...part of me knows her well enough to realize nothing would had stopped her from trying…”

A moment to gather his words, and then, “...you’re far from the only one surprised. And, I wager, nor unhappy about it.”

Her jaw grits. “...you’re damn right about one thing.”

Itachi’s brows furrow just a hair. But before he can ask, she goes on.

Slow steps take her across the rounded room. “I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess you have at least some inkling of how badly you hurt her.”

...ah...so that’s what this is about.

“...but I’m also going to guess that you have no...idea...just how severely you did.”

“I realize that my actions w-”

In an unexpected jolt of movement, Kumiko’s hand slaps palm-down atop the desk, and even Itachi’s carefully-practiced facade can’t stop a flinch. Gaze as cold as her jutsu, and yet somehow also alight with flame, she stares.

“You left a twelve-year-old girl to raise a seven-year-old boy. You exposed her to a sight just as gruesome as any battlefield, just like the one that got her brought to Konoha in the first place. You took her love for you, and you manipulated it, and abused it, and threw it back in her face!”

Teeth are grit as Kumiko bears them in a snarl. “You knew she’d take that burden gladly, even if you hadn’t asked it of her! Then? You vanished. Took on the guise of a criminal. And still...still…! She refused to give up on you. Still had that...sliver of hope! Then you beat Sasuke senseless, left Kakashi hospitalized...threatened to take Naruto! The more time went on - the more she learned - the more she doubted. But then you just...popped back into her life! Finally told her what really happened. Both blessed and burdened her with a truth that heavy, and then! You up and died on her. Left her alone, and pregnant…?”

“...I did not intend -”

“Yeah, well your intentions don’t mean a damn thing!” she spits back at him, earning another flinch. “She risked her life trying to stop you! To tell you! Obito damn near killed her right then and there! And then when it wasn’t Obito, it was Danzō! And then death couldn’t even keep you from showing up and hurting her. Of course she ran into you while trying to help Naruto. Of course she convinces you to let her risk her own damn life to bring you back, all to make amends for mistakes you didn’t realize before you took the easy way out.”

Shamed color tints his ears, but he keeps her gaze.

“...and you know this isn’t over, don’t you? You know it’s just the beginning. I swear to the gods you brothers are so much more trouble than you’re worth...and you’ve both got her roped into this.”

Standing from her leaned position atop her slapped palm, she instead uses the hand to point across the desk at him, fury still clear as day upon her face. “...you will take responsibility for this. All of this. What’s happened up until now, and what’s coming. Even one scratch ends up on her that has your or your brother’s name on it, and I don’t care how powerful either of you are...I don’t care how terrifying your ninjutsu, your kenjutsu, your genjutsu. I don’t care how outclassed I am, how outranked I might be! I will put you right back into that grave you crawled up out of like a gods-damned cockroach, and I will make you pay for everything you’ve put her through. Maybe then you’ll understand just how little you deserve her.”

...silence.

For a few moments longer, he manages his blank look...and then shame and grief wilt his brow, pinch his eyes closed, and pull a grimace across his mouth as his head bows.

“...if you believe nothing else...please know that no one more than I knows how undeserving I am. But I could not refuse her...nor my responsibility. I know that my existence now is little more than paying an owed debt. To the village, my clan, my brother, my children...and her. I have done nothing but quail beneath the size of that deficit. I know I will never pay it back in full. But I will use every gifted moment to give it everything I have. Should I fail...I will more than gladly submit to such a punishment. It is the least I deserve.”

A huffing breath passes through Kumiko’s nose. “...well, for her sake if nothing else, I’ll hope you don’t mess this up. As much as some people might think otherwise...you’re useless dead. At least alive, you can do something to make up for what you’ve done.” Her brow furrows sharply in a glare. “...I’ll be watching you, Uchiha Itachi. Remember that.”

Jaw clenched, he can only manage a nod, watching her storm back out the door.

...a moment later, it opens again to reveal a rather defeated-looking Kakashi. “...well...that could have been a hell of a lot worse,” the Hatake deadpans.

“...I do not doubt it.”

His elder sighs. “...she’s angry. Eventually, she’ll calm down. At least, a little bit, and...likely not for some time.”

“She has every right to be, though...I admit, I underestimated her...investment.”

“Well...a lot changed after you left,” Kakashi replies, tone a bit soft. “Ryū rallied people to her, in her own way...and I don’t think she meant to. She’s just the sort of person you can’t stay away from. Even if you want to, eh?” Silver brows lift just a hair.

“...true enough.”

“Once I took on Sasuke’s team, there was little avoiding her. We knew her a bit as a kid, but...well, one thing leads to another. I suppose you could say Kumiko took her on as her own. And where Kumiko goes, I inevitably follow.”

That, at least, earns a hint of a smile from Itachi. “Yes...it seems that though she’s lost many...she still found quite a few, in the end. In rather unexpected places.”

Kakashi gives a hum of agreement. “...well, you’d best get home. I think things are quiet enough outside now, you should be fine. Though I wouldn’t advise against using a henge.”

“I’ll be all right. Thank you, Kakashi-sama.”

The Rokudaime immediately deadpans. “Please don’t use that honorific with me…”

“Would you prefer I go back to calling you senpai?”

“Just...anything but sama. It’s ridiculous.”

“You’d best get used to it.”

“I never will.”

Kakashi then shoos him out, and Itachi makes his way back through the administration building. Passing Kumiko in a corridor as she speaks with a few ANBU, there’s a split second that seems to stretch in slow-motion as they eye one another.

But then it passes, and he takes his leave.

She’ll be watching him, will she?

Well...he doubts she’ll be the only one.

     .w.;;;; I dunno if this is anything like what you expected, but uh...tadaa? *poorly jazz hands*      I dunno, just...we’ve talked about this moment a few times, so I thought it might be kinda neat to try bringing it to life! I dunno if I over- or undersold Kumiko’s reaction, or...really wrote her well at all (I’m always terrified of writing other people’s OCs OTL), but...I tried, ahaha. It’s not shippy, but it’s got some ship in it. I dunno, just thought it’d be a change of pace to have something...not really actiony, but...not just fluff? lol      ANYWHO I still gotta do my daily, and it’s just barely still your birthday where you are (I’m sorry this is so late), so...happeh berfdai! Here’s some drama xD