Transfiguration

Chapter One

-Disappearance-

Sanosuke rode his horse fast and hard towards his home, a large palace in the Empire of Eroethiel. Medium length black locks flew around his face from the wind, though his forest green gaze stayed focused on the road ahead. His cloak billowed behind him, revealing a lean, fit form of a young man in his late teens. Despite being clad in all black, his status as a prince was still visible, for he bore the crest of the Uchiha on his right breast, the pin keeping his cloak about his shoulders.

Not much was on his mind in that moment, only that he needed to be by his mother's side in her time of grief. His father had disappeared nearly three days ago, and needless to say, everyone was in a panic. The elder Uchiha was known for secluding himself for periods of time in order to work out the problems of the world, but never had his mother not known his whereabouts, or not been allowed to be with him. She had made such a big deal about his father's disappearance that his elder siblings had left their own providences where they ruled and come to be by the pink haired empress' side.

Reaching the entrance to the palace, he pulled back on the reins of his horse and skidded to a stop, hopping off of the animal when it was safe. A hawk squawked from a nearby tree, and the prince glanced at it, before continuing on his way. He didn't even speak to the servants that came rushing out, for they knew how to take care of his animal. No, instead he marched inside his home with purpose, an air of authority about him.

A servant came rushing down the hall, bowing to him when he halted and gave them an expectant look. "Prince Sanosuke, your elder brothers arrived just yesterday, and have requested that you see them upon your return. They're in your father's study, looking for clues as to where he might have gone." He said.

"Thank you." Sanosuke nodded, walking around the old man and heading to his new destination.

When he came upon a large set of double doors made out of oak, he pushed them open, taking in the scene before him. Leaned over his father's desk were his two elder brothers, men that looked eerily similar to one another. They both had the classic look of the Uchiha, with black hair and strong features, though their eyes were a pale jade instead of deep green. The elder brother, Kanamé, who usually had a cheerful demeanor, appeared serious and focused. Noriaki, the younger of the two men, was a bit harsher looking, especially as he poured over what they were looking at. Both men looked up at his entrance, but he didn't give either a chance to speak.

"I have searched everywhere." He said. "I rode to the farthest corners of the city and checked all of his usual places, and I didn't see hide or hair of him. None of the villagers around those areas have heard anything either, so it is unlikely that he left the palace."

Kanamé sighed and straightened. "It just doesn't make any sense. Where would he go…that he wouldn't tell mother…or even take her. I've never seen her so distraught."

Sanosuke pursed his lips. "He wouldn't." he said. "Father was not the type of person to leave her in the dark, even if he didn't want anyone else to know, he would have left her a clue. Something. But I haven't been able to find anything." He noticed the scattered papers on the desk. "Have you?"

"Not yet." Noriaki said, picking up another piece of paper and looking over it. "It's like…he just disappeared." They were all jostled from their thoughts when they heard a loud caw from outside the window. The younger triplet glared at the window before turning away, "Damn birds."

"They've been everywhere ever since father's disappearance." The younger man said. "So…who wants to tell mom the news?"

Kanamé sighed. "I will."

"Is Hayate with her?"

"Yes." Noriaki nodded. "So is Izayoi."

"Then we should probably all go tell her now." Sanosuke said. "That way we're all there for her when she breaks down."

The elder triplet agreed and started for the door. Noriaki followed, shaking his head. "It's not like she could get worse."

The younger man smirked humorlessly. "We'll just have to see." He said.

They made their way down the halls, before going up the stairs and to the master suite where the emperor and empress stayed. And the sight that greeted them was not one that anyone liked to see. The empress sat in the center of her bed, wearing one of her fine robes. Her hair was all done up, as it was her maidens who tended to her, but her eyes were filled with such sadness it would have broken anyone's heart. It was obvious she'd been crying for nearly days now. Her soft pink hair was pulled back in an elegant clip, only allowing for her bangs to fall loosely.

On either side of the bed were a man and a woman, both looking similar to the three brothers. The girl had long, flowing black hair that fell around her perfectly. She was clearly the empress' daughter, because the two looked very much alike. The boy was clearly the youngest of the five children, and looked the most like Sanosuke, simply because he was a carbon copy of their father.

"Mother." Sanosuke said, not surprised when the pink haired woman failed to look at him. "I have returned."

"Have you found him…?" she whispered hoarsely.

He shook his head. "No, we haven't found a trace of him, or a sign that he may have left. I think it is safe to say that he did not disappear of his own free will."

The pink haired woman sobbed out, burying her face in her hands as she cried. "Oh Akito!" she sniffed. "Where have you gone my love?" she whispered, continuing to weep.

"Mother…" Izayoi frowned, rubbing her mother's back soothingly. "Everything will be alright. He will come back. It's father after all."

"In the meantime, you should get some rest mommy. You've barely slept at all." Hayate told her.

It took a while, but finally the empress stopped her crying long enough to lie down and close her eyes. When they were sure she would stay that way, the five children left together, shutting the door and frowning. "She's falling apart." Noriaki said, glaring off.

"What are we supposed to do, we can't leave her here like this." Kanamé put in. "But we have to return to our providences as to not show other countries our inner turmoil."

"Not to mention my king will be missing me." Izayoi nodded.

Noriaki rolled his eyes and looked over at his sister. "Kai will be fine, it's only been a week."

"You only say that because you don't know the feeling of having a spouse Nori." Hayate scolded in a hushed tone.

"Look," Sanosuke interrupted before anything more could be said. "Hayate and I will stay here with her. Father has not yet given him a providence of his own, and so technically it is still under his rule. I will help him look after her for another week, and give him some responsibilities for the kingdom. If people ask we will say it is a test from father to see how well he will do as a leader. Then one of you will come at the end of the week to take over, and I will return to my providence, and so on and so forth. That way only one of us is gone at a time, and Hayate is not left with mother and the kingdom to look after."

Kanamé and Noriaki sighed but conceded. "Fine…sounds fair."

Izayoi didn't look as happy about the idea, but she didn't say anything against it. Hayate frowned. "But what if father never comes back? We can't keep up this ruse forever. Eventually the news has to be broken to everyone, and Kanamé will have to take over the kingdom." He reasoned.

"No." Izayoi huffed. "Mother will have to suck it up and rule by herself."

Noriaki nodded. "It's true…if mother becomes unable to do so, then Kanamé will have to take over."

"I just don't think she'll be able to…" the youngest Uchiha said sadly.

Sanosuke sighed. "We'll just have to see what happens. For now, I think we should all get some rest while she's asleep and doesn't need us. And the three of you can prepare to return to your kingdoms in the morning." He said, looking to the triplets.

Izayoi nodded and headed off, followed by her two brothers. "I'm going to watch over mom. She's been having nightmares." Hayate said, turning and going back towards the empress' room. Sanosuke shook his head and made his way to his own chambers, wanting to sleep in a bed more than anything. He only hoped his father returned soon, because he didn't know how much longer they would be able to hide his disappearance from the people.