Author's Note: I am fully aware that I already have another story active but due to lack of response I decided to go for something that has always seemed to grab the attention of the readers. I do hope that you enjoy it and remember my two rules, that there will be no flaming and that the more reviews I get, the sooner I will update.
"Look at me aniki!" Young Sasuke spun around in his dark green robes, a festive mask strapped to the top of his head that would rest there until they reached the festival. The robes were rather basic, the sleeves were much to large and long for his body, as intended, and the bottom cut off just below his knees. The mask was white with red streams of scarlet painted across it. This mimicked that of the ANBU because Sasuke had requested that he have one that was 'just like nii-sama's!."
"You look quite prepared for a night out on the town otouto, just stay out of trouble alright?" Itachi walked through the room in his ANBU uniform. Just because Kohona was celebrating the harvest moon did not mean that he got the night off by any means. He slid his mask over his face and made his way towards the open doorway.
"Yes 'niki…" Sasuke took a step towards his elder brother in order to hug in farewell but his mother pulled him back, a few pins sticking between her teeth.
"Sasuke dear please stand still and let me finish pinning this into place for tonight, you will see Itachi in the morning." She held him with one hand and slid the pins through the dark fabric with the other, trying to keep the sleeves from encumbering him.
"Yes mama." The little raven held his hands together and pouted silently as his nii-sama left. He knew that his older brother was just doing his job, and that he could feel comforted in the fact that he was protecting him as well as the rest of the village, but it did not keep him from missing him. Sensing his mother stand to her feet, she checked her own sash before taking his hand and going out into the dimly lit dusk, walking out of the Uchiha District and towards the lights and music of the annual harvest festival.
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"Sounds like they're having quite the party down there. Wish that we were allowed to go." Nana commented as she and two other ANBU, including the team captain, sat with her in the trees just outside of the massive Kohona walls.
"At least we are ensuring that they may celebrate without fear Nana, if only they knew the dangers that existed beyond these walls." Itachi stood at the ready, the brisk wind blowing the hair around his mask.
"I suppose. Do you think those rumors about the bounty hunters are true? That they travel around different villages in order to steal the ancient secrets of the most powerful clans to sell on the black market? I heard that they have stooped as low as kidnapping and murder. What do you think Itachi?" She continued to sit crouched on the limb.
"I do not listen to rumors. But even if it were true, I highly doubt that they would get past our security. Besides, Kohona is a tight-knit community, everyone watches out for each other. I highly doubt that any mischievous activity can take place without someone noticing and reporting it."
"That is true, and besides, our women are armed and our children are taught from infancy to stay close and not stray away from the group. You were right Itachi, we have nothing to worry about here." Nana smiled beneath her mask and continued to watch her post, letting her senses probe for any signs of unwanted activity in the foliage below them.
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Sasuke stood rather disgruntled as his mother continued to chatter like a hen with the other women and mothers of Kohona. Unlike the rest of her bloodline, Mikoto did not feel the need to shun others because of their bloodline or social status. Now this left Sasuke in a rut as he now had to watch everyone pass by to go see the shows and eat the succulent food while he was stuck missing out. He tugged on his mother's robe impatiently several times but only received a small swat to encourage him to stop in return.
"Mama, may I please-"
"Hush Sasuke- Why yes Hayna, I would love to exchange recipes sometime, you know how the family is, they get bored with the same old thing after awhile." She laughed and chattered with her friends not paying her youngest child any mind.
The youngest Uchiha looked around, his eyes filled with glee when he saw his father Fugaku across the way walking with another member of the police force in the opposite direction. Surely father would give him permission to enjoy the festival! Sneaking away from his mother's side, Sasuke made his way towards his father's form as he walked away, unaware that his child was calling for him through the noise and bustle of the crowd. The congestion in that gauntlet of a street was quite terrible. The young child of only four –almost five- years found himself dodging people as they walked by him, completely oblivious that he was there until they nearly tripped over him.
"Father! FATHER!" Sasuke did not dare call his father 'dad' or 'daddy' in public. Or even in private for that matter due to his high rank in both the Uchiha Clan and in Kohona. But Fugaku did not even hear his son's pleas for him. He continued to walk on patrol with one of the lower-ranking policemen.
Looking around, the onyx-eyed boy realized that he did not know where he was, and more importantly, he did not know where his mother was. He became fearful and disoriented. He had only left the Uchiha District a few times in his short life; and even then those were with his parents or Itachi. Feeling tears at the brim of his eyes, he began to cry out for his mother and father, only to be ignored and given strange look by passer-bys. Finally a shadow was cast over the young child as someone stopped with a concerned look on her face.
"Are you alright little one?" She knelt down before him, removing her mask she proved to be quite beautiful, something which comforted the child just abit.
"I-I'm lost." He resisted the urge to wail as he sniffed and wiped away his salty tears with his dark green sleeve.
"It's okay little one, can you tell me your name? I can help you find your parents." Her voice was as smooth as silk and poured from her mouth like a stream of calm water.
"Sasuke U-Uchiha.." He continued to sniff and try to dry his tears. The strange woman smiled at him, little did he know that that smile held a more sinister meaning.
"I see, well come with me and I'll take you somewhere safe." She picked him up and held him as she walked through the crowds, blending in and taking Sasuke far away from where his mother stood just a few yards away.
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She brought him to a stall where a blonde-haired man sat wearing his own festive black and silver robes. He sipped light liquor out of a small glass as he sat perched at the bar on the stool.
"Ken, look what I've found, a lost little Uchiha." She rested a lot of hidden emphasis on that last word.
"An Uchiha? Lost? What a rare find. Well hello little master Uchiha, now how come you're lost hm?" Ken took Sasuke from Amaya and Sat him down on the stool beside him. He seemed like a very friendly person, using a gentle tone with the young child to encourage a friendship.
"I-I didn't mean to get lost, I-I-I just c-couldn't find my mother" He began to burst out into tears again, he did not like being away from his parents or his nii-sama one bit. His only comfort was that he was with such nice people.
"Now now, don't cry little Uchiha, We'll make sure you find your mum, alright? Now dry up those tears, I'll get you something to drink and we'll take you right home alright?" He poured Sasuke a small amount of drink from a pouch he carried on his belt into the glass he had just drank out of and handed it to him.
"There there, that will take the burn right out of your throat and we'll have you home in no time." The little Uchiha foolishly finished off the glass, letting Ken gently take it from him and set in on the wooden bar before taking the child into his arms, his heavy head resting on his shoulder.
Both of the couple's smiles turned into victorious sneers as moments later Sasuke was sound asleep and gently snoring. They pulled their dark hoods over their heads and left the bar, no one suspecting anything as they walked out towards the inn that they were residing in. It was not every day that an Uchiha fell into their hands, and seeing that the clan bloodline was so rare and powerful, the many organs and essences they could extract would make them a fortune! Their only obstacle was leaving Kohona tonight without any of those damned officers finding them. All well, they had years of experience behind them without being caught, why should this be any different?