"Ah, damn, Sasuke, you've gotta be better than this," Asuma mumbled. The first day was always the worst. When a new student figured out they weren't good enough, that their standards were too low for Sarutobi Asuma's quality. But this time, it was far worse. The head of the secret corps department, also Asuma's father, had instructed him to make Sasuke's training ten times more rigorous than original. For once, all three of the main teachers argued. Sasuke was barely six. Asuma's training was a hell on earth for anyone; even the head had to admit it could end up hurting Sasuke for life. They weren't sure how long Sasuke could last.
Another few minutes had passed. Asuma grew tired of waiting already. At the peak of the cliff, he yawned and laid on his back. This desert-dry training area was boring. Nothing to see, nothing to do, Kurenai wasn't here and there was no one to bully except for the emotionally-torn Uchiha Sasuke. Habitually, Asuma pulled out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. The tip of the flame had just reached the end of the cigarette, however, it was gone. A shadow loomed over Asuma.
"Hey, Asuma, smoking is bad for you. You're an adult. You should know. So grow up and act like one. If you're going to train me, at least take it seriously. I don't have time to waste. Hell knows how long Itachi and I have left on this earth," Sasuke spoke without hesitation, sharply, commanding and calm. Asuma was shocked. Sasuke had already caught up; he wasn't surprised. There was a ton of sweat dripping off the boy's body but he didn't seem exhausted. It was incredulous; a marvel to behold.
Grinning, Asuma pushed himself up. Dusting his clothes, he cleared his throat. "Well done, Sasuke. I never expected for you to get here this fast. Activity One was supposed to test your determination. I gave you four hours to get to this point... you accomplished it in a mere one and a half hours. Damn. I haven't seen such a genius since..." he paused. Sasuke understood. He bit his lip.
"...Since Itachi," Sasuke finished for Asuma. "Tch. Figures. It's always him. He was the best at everything." Quietly, he said to himself... But he never had anything he wanted. I... I took it all from him. "So, moving on... Asuma-sensei, what's next?"
Asuma laughed. "Do you really want to know? Well, we're going to start in fifteen minutes. Take a break. If you don't you won't make it through." This is a hell lot of crap we're putting on a boy's shoulders... such responsibility... The truth was, Sasuke's family was full of assassins. They were famous. But as a cover, the general public only knew them as bodyguards and police. It'd only be a matter of time before Sasuke would grow up and he'd find a "job". But what would he choose? Sighing, he just scratched his head.
Fifteen minutes doesn't seem like a long time... but every second counted to Sasuke. The child was engulfed in flux. He had as much potential as his brother. He was hated by his brother. He loved his family. Everything was gone. Because of brother... but he knew he was lying to himself. He could only blame his own existence. Damn. Damn... Every breath was precious.
Each second, an average of two people die. With so many seconds in a day, how hard would it be for one to be Itachi? Yawning, Sasuke walked around the mountain, only to find Asuma sitting on the edge of the cliff. He was gazing at the skies and the open freedom. The forests at the base of the mountain looked like a plane. Nature always held its surprises. When one is higher, the things look so much smaller. You can see the whole view. Not just the pieces. But the completed picture, Itachi often said.
"Are you ready, Asuma?" Sasuke interrupted. The man nodded.
"Alright... let's begin. Watch carefully." Asuma rose and stood at the edge. He jumped. "The next exercise is... controlling your falling and landings. Also, to gain experience in the air. Aerial combat may come at times so it's best to prepare." Asuma plummeted down to the top of a tree. He didn't even receive a scratch. Standing from the top, he made sure Sasuke could see him. "Now it's your turn!" He yelled back up. With Sasuke's earlier success, Asuma had more confidence. But this was still...
Before he even finished his train of thoughts, he looked up to the sound of shoes against the hard rock. A figure leaped off the cliff, a boy rushing to his possible death. Fear struck Asuma's mind. What if Sasuke didn't make it? Hell, how would he explain it to the others? But that thought wasn't even necessary. Sasuke's form was graceful, as if he had been born to fly.
Sasuke charged straight down headfirst into the forest until, he estimated halfway down, and flipped so his legs faced down. The trick to falling is to not be afraid. Looking down doesn't matter. As long as you don't let fear rule your mind, you would make it. As he hit a branch, he heard a small crack. "Oh shi--" he was going to fall! Instinctively, instead of what a normal person would do and close his or her eyes, Sasuke jumped up off the snapping branch. Panting, he made a note to himself: next time, control timing and look out.
"Not bad, Sasuke." Asuma appeared from thin air and patted his shoulders. "Damn well for your first day. You ever receive this much training? You don't look too new."
Standing up on the ground, he replied, "I always watched brother practice. I looked at what he did. I practiced so I could be like him. But... I think he knew I was watching; he didn't seem like he was trying his best. I probably didn't even catch a glimpse of what he was really doing." Even then, Itachi had been observant. At the age of eight, he graduated from an elite school where the program would take several years. Itachi went through every year's work within twelve months.
Asuma thought about it. Itachi was a genius to many, but a select few like Kakashi, keen people, knew that Itachi hardly slept. He would doze off for maybe an hour or two every night but work the rest. Every day was a hardship. Even after graduation,.many teachers were fond of Itachi. He was like a raven. The dark horse that knew no limits. The one who rose immediately and flew above all else. Every teacher rejoiced in his or her student's success; it made them happy, knowing they could guide a soul to soar beyond. Whether the student ended up "evil" or "justice", no one can say. Because, after all... What is "justice"?
How could Itachi take all of this? Sasuke controlled his breath, showing no mistakes. If this is my limit then... how did... what did brother do... in order to excel? He must have worked so hard, so many hours since birth...and what did he get? Only bitterness... sadness... a loneliness no one else could understand. Even if he had killed the entire clan, Sasuke still admired his brother. Sometimes, vengeance didn't seem right. Yet, he felt as if he had no choice; if not an avenger, what else could he set as his goal?
That first day of training, had taught Sasuke a lesson to be desired. Patience and humility. If one is proud, he will be crushed by foolishness. If someone thinks too high, when they hit that mountain, their foundations will crumble and the volcano's anger will burn them to ashes. Learning to be humble was difficult. Sasuke was a proud, proud fool; he believed in his blood, the blood of the Uchiha, and that it would lead him to prowess. Out of the hundreds of thousands of Uchiha talents, Sasuke was no different. All of them had to train harder and harder. Pride was a deep issue. Some were proud. Most, in fact, were too proud to admit they had lost. But still, there will be one higher.
Later that night, as Sasuke and Asuma walked back to the city, it began to rain. Rain; a tranquil, peaceful shower. It pelted the leaves like tapping to a song. A shy melody and quick beats. Sasuke couldn't help but enjoy. The forests near Konoha were beautiful beyond compare. Of all major countries, this one had the best forests. The best fields, plains, jungles, plant-life; everything was lush, enjoyable, and calming. Coming here in the spring soothed many travelers. This country... Sasuke loved it. It was his home. A home he would live in... "forever".
"Actually, Sasuke, why don't we spend the night in the forest? Konoha isn't too far off from this section. Don't worry. It'll be okay." Asuma was captivated. All his life, he had grown up in these woods, practicing with his teammates. He had lived here to hone his hearing. Listening to the silence and picking up the faintest of sounds... He had grown attached.
Sasuke couldn't complain. "Sure, why not?" He yawned and sat next to his sensei. The stars were innumerable, radiating light throughout the universe. Each star was breath-taking. It seemed to make the world go still when he looked up at the stars. He even forgot about all the hatred, the confusion, the pain... He couldn't remember when his eyes began to shut and when the lights began to fade. Everything slowly turned black... and in his dreams, white filled the room.
His eyes widened. "O-Otou-san...? Ka-san?" You're alive! He couldn't breathe. He ran towards them... but only passed through. His parents smiled. Their eyes were closed... peaceful. Maybe it was so Sasuke could not see the regret and sorrow hidden in them.
"Sasuke, listen to us..." His mother spoke softly, coaxing him. He remembered how much he loved her. How much time they spent together. Opening her eyes, her resolve was clear. "Do not... Don't hate Itachi for what he has done. We cannot speak of it now; we promised him. If it was the last thing we'd do, as a child... just before you were born... He had asked: 'If I'm no longer important to you, what should I do?' and your father and I... we never knew... after you were born... things... things changed. Itachi... Oh, Itachi...." Sasuke's mother broke down, fell onto the floor of the white void.
His father could only look to the ground. Shamefully, he spoke. "I... what kind of father am I? One who cannot even see the needs of his own child... one who put everything away... Oh, Sasuke... Forgive us, forgive us for our sins. I can't begin to imagine what we've done to Itachi. Even if he destroys the world, we cannot hate him. Because we cannot begin to understand what we've done to him. Sasuke... grow up to be strong... Grow up to surpass your old man."
Then, he raised his head and looked toward Sasuke. Oh, my child... how I wish I could tell you it all. But if I did, it may ruin everything your brother strove to protect. Haven't you realized? Out of all the members he had killed... He had spared you. You among every one else. I wish we could tell you, my son... How I have failed you two... He wished he could touch his son's face. How he could scold him and laugh again. But it was all too late. He stared into his son's eyes.
"Hear my words and heed them, Sasuke." His father was serious.
"Yes, Father., I will," Sasuke promised. He looked directly at his father in curiosity.
"There will be challenges to come. Hardships you've never seen. The ones you currently face won't even compare. As one of the few remaining Uchiha... You must realize. With our blood carries a curse. That curse... it is a blessing at the same time, yet, we, Uchiha, will pay that price. All because of our blood."
"What do you mean, Otou-san?" Sasuke questioned. Sasuke was thinking about this "curse". It could have been the "Trigger". There were select few "Triggers" in the world. A "Trigger" is a gift passed on by both blood and talent. New ones can be awakened at any time. The world's wars were constantly affected by new discoveries. The Uchiha had a consistent "Trigger" and had named it the "Sharingan". Many different forms of Sharingan existed. "Do you mean... 'Triggers'? Like the Sharingan?"
Nodding, his father explained. "Yes... The Sharingan is our purest 'Trigger'. However, there are.... special awakenings for different branches of Sharingan. Stronger more powerful versions only few have achieved."
Interrupting, Sasuke whispered, "Like the 'Mangekyo Sharingan'? Itachi... has one."
His father was unsurprised. "Yes... We had tortured him so much, that the distress bit at him and chewed out his own soul. Itachi sold his soul to the devil... He... He killed his own best friend for power... Uchiha Shisui was murdered."
Sasuke shuddered. He remembered that night. Itachi told him about it. The Mangekyo Sharingan and its secrets. Its awakening. Its power. And its horror. But Sasuke didn't know about the other effect... Once the light leaves the Kaleidescope, it will never return. Slowly, as one carries and uses the Mangekyo Sharingan, his vision will be robbed. Forever.
"There will be other 'Triggers' to be awakened. Sasuke, you and Itachi have the talent to awaken many forms of the Sharingan. So many secrets to unlock; you never know if you'll be able to make your own. But please, remember this – never give up. Don't ever back down. If pride kills you... then throw away that pride. Live on. For us... And for..." he stopped. And for Itachi...
"Before you wake up, hear one more thing, Sasuke." His mother had controlled herself. Tears were held back. "You are young now, and you may be training hard... but don't be secluded. Make lots of friends. Be careful. Don't talk to strangers too much. The day will come when you meet your special someone. Grow up to be strong. Protect the ones you love. And one day, when you find that one, special girl, don't ever let her go. Ever."
"Aww... Ka-san... girls are icky..." Sasuke grumbled. But he was grinning.
His parents laughed. His father ruffled his hair and smiled. "That's my boy. Stay strong..."
His mother laughed and kissed his forehead. "Good-bye, Sasuke... Sweet dreams..."
The two waved farewell, and the void was filled with sunlight. A flood of colors penetrated his eyes. Sasuke was awake. He couldn't think of anything else but his parents' words. Smiling, he took a look around and appreciated what he had. Now, he had to wake Asuma-sensei up. The new day was just getting started... at least, just for Sasuke.