For those who know my writing style they know that I am a more action oriented writer. However recently I rewatched a long time favorite movie know as Spirited Away, and one scene in particular caught my attention. The Train scene. After all the madness that happened with Kohaku and No Face that one scene of pure peace was something unforgettable. I later researched the meaning of the scene and the only thing Miyazaki mentioned was something called 'Ma'. So now I'm experimenting with 'Ma', the thing about my stories I usually burn myself out (What happened with Dark Flight) and I think it's because I always want to write action, I think that slowing down and writing slice of life moments, where the characters relax, have fun, build their bonds is what alot of my stories are missing, which is why Team Magma's Hier's next chapter is still undergoing revision, and REotL is going to seem a little slow paced. I also just graduated from High School so horray for that too ?

Arc 1: Hyuuga Affairs, Episode 1

"Alright Sasuke the Hyuuga elders have approached me with a proposition they wish to offer Kiko Hyuuga's hand in marriage to Itachi, they however have demands that they claim are non-negotiable," I nodded as I stood at my father's side. It's been three weeks since the last clan meeting and my father instantly pounced on my aptitude for the messy chess game that is politics. The current issue was rather unheard of, the Uchiha and Hyuuga have always been bitter rivals almost as long as the Uchiha and Senju. So for the Hyuuga elders to approach father with a marriage proposal to a rather prominent member of the Hyuuga main branch seemed rather shady. Even more so with the Uchiha's declining status with the civilians. "The girl is to be marked by the Caged Bird Cursed Seal, and the first born son of the union is to be integrated into the Hyuuga regardless if he possess the Sharingan, Byakugan, or something more, the last is that any other children in the union that possess the Byakugan must be branded with the Caged Bird Seal or be integrated into the Hyuuga clan."

I scoffed at the Hyuuga's demands, we received very little from this marriage and what we potentially could receive would be regulated by the Hyuuga. Normally the Hyuuga wouldn't be stupid enough to come to us with such an offensive offer, but with the Uchiha's dwindling political and military standing they hoped to subjugate us before we could regain our foothold.

"We must be careful of how we decline this insult of an offer father, the Hyuuga covered their tracks rather well in choosing a rather prominent main house member; declining it would be seen as an insult to the Hyuuga and would further destroy our political standing." Father nodded as he massaged his temple.

"Then we have to worry about Itachi's reaction, he always value his relationship with people and I've seen the way he and Izumi act," I winced at that, Itachi would never forgive father or the Hyuuga if he was forced away from Izumi, "Even if we accept Itachi is off the table, we'll need another Uchiha that is just as capable, Shisui?"

I gave my father a incredulous look, 'That skirt chaser is worse than Prompto, the Hyuuga would throw a fit.' Father sighed at my look, "There are no other Uchiha that fits as a substitute for Itachi, and I would rather avoid worsening our relationship with the Hyuuga…" I noticed father looking at me expectantly.

"Father, no."

"You share a class with the current Hyuuga heiress, what do you think of her." I could see father was not about to let this go, the Hyuuga heiress wasn't a bad person she just wasn't my type. Luna had a certain air about her that drew me in, she was fun to be around, and has the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. Iris was easily one my best friends, and my first love interest, she was cheery, fun, adventurous, rebellious, and someone I could always depend on to brighten my day. Hinata and I didn't have none of those connections, she was timid, submissive, and much too quiet for my taste. Not to mention she seemed to favor the dobe.

"We wouldn't mesh father, not to mention Hiashi-sama would never put his heir forward to marry an Uchiha." I watched my father glare at the paper in front of him, "We have to decline, we can deal with any political backlash but we can't afford the Uchiha in a civil war due to a rampaging Itachi." I wonder if this is how my father felt when he was negotiating with Niflheim.

"That mind of yours never seems to fail you Sasuke, I will be declining the offer," Father eyes narrowed on me, "You however will be the counter to any fallout, make sure you become rookie of the year Sasuke the clan can't afford anything less."

I nodded, 'The two sons of the clan head being rookie of the year would counter any talk of us growing weak, I suck at the Ninjutsu exercises though.' Seems it was time to get my own training under way, if I can show complete mastery of a different field other than Ninjutsu it would cover for that score and I was already a weapons master.

"Father, considering my ineptitude for Ninjutsu, I would like to request Kenjutsu training and extra Taijutsu training." Father scowled at the mention of my abysmal Ninjutsu skill.

"Fine, but you will also meet with Itachi every Friday after you Political training to work on activating your Sharingan, your mother was a Kenjutsu and Genjutsu mistress when she was an active ninja so she would be most pleased to help you, for Taijutsu I would suggest Shisui or Kadone."

I bowed before leaving my father's office, the Uchihas that stood guard outside the room gave me a sympathetic smile. "Have fun Sasuke-sama, Itachi-sama should be back from his mission today." I smiled before running off.

I smirked as I looked at Kato's annoyed face, I couldn't blame him; Eiji had the tendency to ramble. Kato Uchiha is nine years old and one of my best friends, he had the typical black hair of the Uchiha, but his was smooth and in a small ponytail like Itachi's, I watched as Eiji tried to get the sullen Uchiha to smile, it was kind of funny but also unnerving. Ever since the death of his brother Kato hasn't been the same, he was on some hell path to avenge Jashiro and always spoke of foreign ninjas with disdain.

Eiji didn't share this hatred, he is a peaceful soul unlike any Uchiha I've ever seen. He was born out of wedlock, a bastard that his father's family scorned. His mother, Umi Uchiha, feel in love with a man from the Hidden Sand Village during the last war. He was a prominent member of Suna's forces and when he found out Umi was pregnant he denounced any connection to Umi or her unborn child. Eiji was born in the Sand and Umi tried again to get her lover to accept Eiji as his son.

She soon found out why he denounced her, he was a married man and was beginning another family. She returned to the Uchiha clan broken hearted and Ushiro-jiji has watched over her since. Even now the Uchiha treated Umi with the respect any Uchiha would be given, she wasn't the disgraced woman who bared a bastard child, she is a proud member of the Uchiha clan. Eiji was shaped by these actions, and his mother's past. He put all his trust and faith in the Uchiha main family, in my family.

"So what's the plan oh prince?" I snorted as Eiji gave a clumsy attempt at a bow, "We can probably play at the park, but your father would want someone to be with you." I nodded it wasn't unusual for clan heirs to go to the local parks with a guard however I didn't want them breathing down my neck all day. I didn't have time to continue pondering as a smoke bomb burst open at our feet. I felt something hit my face and burst open, its contents spilling over me.

The smoke cleared and I saw a puddle of yellow paint at my feet, I saw Eiji covered in blue, and Kato drenched in orange. The villagers were staring in shock as they tried to figure out what happened. I sighed at the familiar laughter that erupted from atop one of the nearby buildings. 'The damn dobe got the drop on me again,' I growled as the heavy smell of the paint made me slightly woozy. Naruto had recently taken to pranking any and all he could see, the Hyuuga suffered last week as Naruto somehow managed to raid their closet and hung their under clothes all over the Village. That was a fun day for the Uchiha Police force as they barely restrained from laughing at the embarrassed and livid faces of Hyuugas that came to complain about the blonde menaces actions.

Eiji glared daggers at Naruto who beamed down at us, "You are so dead Uzumaki, let's go Kato, Sasuke!" I smirked as the smile fell from Naruto's face and he paled. The dobe must not have know it was me he doused.

We quickly lost Naruto as he expertly navigated the narrow alleys of Konoha. The prankster was like a damn weasel the way he escaped capture.

"I thought he was the damn deadlast Sasuke," Eiji complained as he tried to catch his breath, "If he is the deadlast I would hate to see the rookie of the year." I smirked at Eiji who groaned in annoyance, "Don't get a big head Uke-teme." I scoffed at the nickname but decided that it was better to just let it slide.

"Well I don't know about you two, but I feel like cleaning my body of this paint would be most beneficial." Kato spoke as he wrung out the bottom of his shirt, "I will see you at your home Sasuke-sama, Eiji." Eiji scowled at Kato's retreating form.

"I swear to Kannon he is like a damned machine sometimes, I think your brother shows more emotion and he is ANBU!" I clapped him on his head at his slip up of 'confidential' information. Yeah everyone knew Itachi was ANBU, but it was also taboo to openly speak of an ANBU agent's personal identity. "Itai, that hurts, anyway we should go home before this paint dries."

Standing in front of my father and the Hyuuga clan head while covered head to toe in paint was not how I wanted to make a first impression. I could feel the questioning stare of Hiashi Hyuuga, and the not so subtle look of disapproval from the young boy next to him. I bowed slightly, not too low so not to show weakness in my own home, and not high enough where it would be seen as disrespect. "Fugaku, it seems your son takes after his mother when it comes to mischief," I paused at the informal way he spoke to my father, I was about to protest until I heard my father give a soft laugh.

"Yes I noticed two other Uchiha children retreat into the compound covered in paint as well, I fear they met with the young Uzumaki on their stroll in the village." I was surprised that my father knew of Naruto. The dobe was all things considered a nobody, and my father barely showed interest in the Hyuuga heiress, "I see you've brought young Neji with you, how is my old teammate Hizashi, with Hinata's birthday approaching and Neji's...responsibilities coming into play I haven't had time to keep in touch." I frowned at my father's words, this wasn't like him at all. He wasn't even hiding his distaste for the 'responsibility' of the Hyuuga branch family, in front of the clan head no less.

I noticed Hiashi's eyes narrow and his words began to grow a chill to them, "My brother is fine, and he knows the job that the branch does for the Hyuuga is for the best, the same precaution I have suggested countless times for you take to protect your Sharingan from thieves.." Hiashi gave a small smirk, "After all the Hyuuga don't have our own Kakashi do we, to think a man not even of the Uchiha blood excels at using your coveted dojutsu better than most of your clan."

I snarled but father placed a hand on my paint covered shoulder, "Yes young Kakashi possess a Sharingan, and show a uncanny prowess with the ability however I refuse to let misguided fear make me enslave my own blood." I smirked at my father's passionate response, "The Uchiha hasn't changes since the Hyuuga last approached us with this proposition Hiashi, now I say again that I refuse this offer of the caged bird seal." my father reached into his kimono sleeve and pulled a missive from it, "and I also must refuse this offer of a union between Itachi and Kiko, I hope that you understand old friend."

Hiashi nodded as he nodded for Neji to grab the paper from Fugaku, "Neji, I want you to know that as your godfather I am very proud of your accomplishments, tell your father that I wish to see him when he gets the time." Neji looked to Hiashi who gave a stiff nod, before promising to tell his father the message.

"Speaking of my eldest daughter's birthday, I have been approached by the elders to invite the Uchiha main family to the festivities, I hope you find the time to join, until then Fugaku." I watched as the two Hyuuga's walked out. Father said nothing just scowled at them.

"The Hyuuga are a clan stuck in the past, they hold much influence, but they refuse to evolve with the times." I noticed my father's hands clench, "Your godfather, Hizashi Hyuuga, is cursed to the fate of being subservient to the main house, I fought beside this man, he saved my life many times, and he deserves more than to be a servant, a slave to his own family." I noticed Itachi standing in the doorway listening to our father, "Sasuke, Itachi I want you two to protect the clan, protect your family like they will you. The men and women in this compound will bleed for you on one word, they will weep for you when you perish, and they will avenge you when you are crossed. Don't follow the Hyuuga's path, in the end it will be their downfall."

I nodded, but Itachi seemed a bit hesitant to agree with father's words. The words three weeks ago rang in my head, could Itachi really turn traitor on his own family? Father didn't seem too worried about it, nor does mother. "All that messy business aside, Itachi did you require me?"

"Yes, I will be absent on a sleeper mission for the next month, I was saying my goodbyes." I frowned, sleeper missions: when an ANBU team went completely off the radar, nothing about the missions were written in files, and most were suicide mission. The last team that went on a sleeper mission was under the command of Sakumo Hatake: to save any residents of Uzushio, "Mother will need you father, she hasn't taken the news well." father gave a stiff nod and put his hand on Itachi's shoulder.

"You are a son of the Uchiha clan, go to the shrines, say your prayers and fight well, or die well." I watched as father walked off, his words hung in the air like a ominous cloud. 'fight well, or die well,' a creed many Uchiha lived by, and now Itachi seemed to be the next link in that chain.

"Sasuke, walk with me." I heard the strain in his voice as he tried to hold his mask. It didn't take us long to reach the Uchiha temple and Itachi kneeled in front of the shrine of Omoikane (The Shinto deity of intelligence and wisdom). "Sasuke what do you think of the village?"

I wasn't ready for such a question, and it wasn't something I had a answer for. My thoughts on the village, my ancestors built this village, they spilled their blood in belief of the village's vision. This however is the same village that segregates us, fears us, maybe even have killed our people. Konoha wasn't on my shit list, but it was extremely close to being there.

"The village doesn't interest me, our family lives here and I will protect my family, conveniently that helps the village." Itachi sighed in disappointment before turning to the shrine once more.

"That's a narrow minded view on this Sasuke, the village makes the Uchiha clan apart of something larger than itself. We are a war clan, we strive for battle, but even the strongest warriors in the world must acknowledge the need for peace. The village gave the Uchiha clan just that, peace with the Senju, a safe place to raise our children, and we now fight for something more than our own petty vengeances." I couldn't help but be awed by the passion in his words, "Father is wise and powerful, but his devotion and love for our clan blinds him to the realities of the world, sometimes I fear that should one of us die he would wage war on the gods themselves to bring us back."

I nodded, father was a devoted man, family meant everything to him and I highly doubted he would cower before the six if they threatened us. 'Kannon help the fool who crosses the Uchiha while he lives.'

"You've shown wisdom beyond your years Sasuke, I once thought of you as my naive loveable little brother but you're now growing into quite the man, a man who can hopefully lead the Uchiha to a better future then the present we have," he rose from his knees, "I look forward to how you've advanced when I return Sasuke."

When. Itachi was absolutely sure he would return. There was no doubt in his voice about it. I wouldn't press though, Itachi was never open about his personal life even with us, and if he didn't want to tell anyone the full details it isn't my place to pry. Nothing more had to be said between us, I knew where Itachi stood and he knew where I was.

"Whatever is going on with you Itachi, I wish you luck." I noticed Itachi's eyes darken.

"No you don't."

"So Sasuke the Hyuuga's get together is in two more days, have you found out what you are getting Hinata?" Eiji whispered in my ear as we sat through one of Iruka's lectures.

"Sasuke-sama I must agree with Eiji it would be most improper to appear without a gift for Hyuuga-sama's daughter." Kato spoke lowly behind me and Eiji. A week had passed since Hiashi came to the compound, Itachi was missing, and my parents seemed very agitated. The whispers of Itachi being traitor were louder in the compound, even my name came under question at times when people thought I wasn't listening.

'We are so used to being plotted against that now we can't even find refuge in our own family.' I thought bitterly, it was no wonder that I had almost forgotten about Hinata's birthday. I watched as she sat rather uncomfortably beside Kiba Inuzuka who was being rather obnoxious in his attempts to brag to his latest crush. I saw the timid smiles she offered the boy with only worked to encourage his idiocy, I also noticed the small glances she stole to the resident dead last before hurriedly looking away.

I smirked, "I have a idea, how would you guys like to go Dobe hunting later?" both looked at me in confusion but I only offered a smirk.