A different view (part 1)

Itachi placed the scroll carefully into his father´s stretched hand. While the clan leader wasted no time to open and reading the said item, Itachi stepped back and kneeled down, a good meter away from his father´s sitting position. Even if Fugaku acted calmy during their conversation which they started a couple of minutes ago, he could tell that the man wasn´t in the best mood nevertheless. The little confrontation with his younger brother had surely upset Fugaku. But even if he could understand that his father was stressed, he wasn´t entirely sure if shouting at Sasuke was actually a good idea.

He had heard the quite unilaterally talk from the doorframe and he could image that Sasuke must feel even more depressed yet. It was obvious for him, that something bothered his little brother and after yesterday and todays outburst, Itachi got slowly a suspicion. The seventeen years old, only wished his brother would trust him enough to come from alone to him and tell him what was wrong. But meanwhile, he was afraid that Sasuke resented him too much, to open up to him. If he only...

"Are you certain this aren´t just empty promises?" Fugaku´s voice interrupted his thoughts successful. He knew very well that he was supposed to give him his full attention. Even if he knew that this would be a long and intensive talk.

But Itachi was aware of the importance of this matter, that´s why he chased away the concerned thoughts and focused only at the current subject. "Yes father. I´ve talked a lot with lord fourth and it´s seems that the olders finally gives in into our conditions."

It was manifest how much relief Fugaku felt in that moment. He had worked several years to reach this purpose, Itachi knew how much this meant for the entire clan.

"You know how much I´ve wished to lead my clan into a better future. And now we´ve the best possible future prospects. You can´t image how proud you made me today." His father allowed himself to smile a short moment. It was a rare thing Fugaku would do and it´s only proved how happy he really was.

The anbu bowed his head deeply to show his gratitude. No matter how much he already heard this words, today he knew certainly that his father meant it more than anything. It´s filled him with pride that he could help him to make it too this solution and they were able to prevent a emerging catastrophe.

"Thank you father. Your words means a lot too me."

"You´ve done an impressive job and proved, that you´re more than worthy to be my successor."

"Thank you." Itachi bowed his head again before he looked up. "The hokage wants to speak with you personally as fast as possible."

Fugaku´s expression lighted up. "That´s really good news. I´ll visit him tomorrow, I want to settle the contractual immediately."

Itachi nodded. "I think you´re right. We shouldn´t waste any more time."

"You´ve done enough for now. I´ll take care of the rest. You´re dismissed, we´ll talk tomorrow about the next steps." His father informed him and turned his attention back to the open scroll in his lap.

His dark eyes rested for a moment on his father. He was unsure whatever he should imform him about his worry about Sasuke or whether he should leave this subject for now. Since his brother had made clear that he didn´t want to talk with him and if he would tell his father about his suspect, Sasuke would only become even more furious. But on the other hand...

"Father..." Itachi called out, before he was even sure whatever he should talk too him.

The Uchiha leader looked up. "What is it? Is there still something you need to tell me?"

"Actually there is something else..."

"Go on." Fugaku placed the scroll to the side and observed his oldest son with his dark eyes.

"It´s about Sasuke..." He began hesitantly. "I´m worried about him. He is acting strange lately..."

Fugaku let out a deep sigh and somehow Itachi knew that his request didn´t took him by surprise. He was sure, that his father wasn´t even surprised. Maybe he had noticed the changes in Sasuke´s behaviour too. "He is just coming into a difficult age. It´s natural that he begins to act out a bit."

The young anbu shook his head. "No, that´s isn´t the problem father. I think there is something else... He seems dejected, but he refuses to talk too me."

"I see. So you argument earlier was about this? You wanted to talk to him and he refused?"

"I was worried about him, because he ran away yesterday." Itachi hesitated for a moment before he continued. "He didn´t came home the whole night."

The older man shook his head in disbelieve. "That boy... I´ve slowly enough of that."

"Father please let me finish. I´m sure he didn´t wanted to disobey your order, I believe he was too depressed about mother yesterday..." Itachi let out a sigh. "He mentioned something about our family..."

"Yesterday was hard for all of us. If something is bothering your brother, he´ll come from alone eventually."

"I´ve the strong feeling, he feels misunderstood and that´s why he refuses to talk. The changes in his behaviour are prove of that."

"I believe you´re the one, who misunderstood the situation Itachi." Fugaku cleared up. "Sasuke is growing and it´s nothing special that, boys in this age are thinking they´ve to prove something. He is just testing his boundaries, that´s all."

Itachi shook his head. "Father, I don´t want to be irreverent, but you´re wrong. I´ve rather the impression that Sasuke wants to prove something too you. He thinks that you don´t care about our family, that you don´t care about him."

"He told you that so?" It was the first time, that he noticed a hint of surprise in his father´s lineaments. Evidently, Fugaku hadn´t expected this statement at all.

"More or less, but his outburst was plainly for me. He is so full with emotions, that I can´t hardly read him at all. He is turning away from me and..."

"Itachi stop it." Fugaku interrupted suddenly. "As much as I appreciate your concern for your younger brother, I think you´re exaggerating. You know as well as I, that Sasuke was still very young, when your mother died. I agree with you, that maybe yesterdays event upseted him emotional a bit but you shouldn´t overrate his current behaviour. Like I said, he is coming into a difficult age, there are changes in his life. He is a genin now and he slowly begins to face the seriousness of the shinobi life. He won´t be always the little boy, whom would run after you and ask you to spend time with him."

Meanwhile Itachi wasn´t enire sure, whatever it was such a good idea to talk to his father or not. He knew that he was right but it was obvious that Fugaku couldn´t understand him at all. Of course he was glad, that his father took the time to hear him out but if he was honest, he had hoped that Fugaku would listen to him and perhaps talk to Sasuke later. In the course of this, he shouldn´t be too surprised. Fugaku had always been blind, whenever it comes to others feelings, even to the feelings of his own family. When his mother was still alive, she was the one who could atone for it. But without her advise, the clan leader was helpless in that matter. Not only when she died, Fugaku could give his sons the needed comfort. But in the meantime, Itachi had learned to understand his father better.

Fugaku had fought in two wars, where he had lost countless friends and family members in battle, of course this had made him insensitive in some ways. As a child, Itachi had suffered under the strict upbringing he received. His father had drilled him merciless too greatness and it was only thanks to his mother, that he had began to understand that Fugaku only did that, because he loved him. He wanted to prepare him as good as possible for the harshness of the shinobi world. Now he was gratefule for this. The anbu was sure, that without his father´s careful education, he wouldn´t have brought it this far.

But it was obvious for him, that his little brother couldn´t understand their father, the way he did. Sasuke had spent almost his entire life under their mother´s wings. It was a huge change for the boy, to live without her. Mikoto had always showered her sons with love and she had been the complete opposite from Fugaku.

He couldn´t blame Sasuke, that he doubted their father. After their mother died, there was left to much confusion and maybe the inability to unite as a family again. Even if Fugaku wasn´t in the slightest as strict with his younger son, as he was with Itachi when in Sasuke´s age, he knew how unyielding their father could be. Perhaps it wasn´t really a wonder that his little brother saw the clan leader as uncaring.

"It´s not about me..." Itachi finally said. "But it´s about Sasuke. Maybe we undervalue the seriousness of his problems. He is always alone, nobody is there for him and when you´re home, you always find something to reprimand him."

The young heir observed his father with searching eyes. Fugaku seemed stunned for a moment, his eyes narrowed slightly and Itachi knew that he was thinking about his words.

After a couple minutes filled with silence, the clan leader finally decided to speak again. "You know very well, that your brother let me no other choice as to reprove him. His current behaviour is unacceptable and every responsibly father would do the same."

"I know, but Sasuke is too much on his own and maybe he still needs your guide more than anything. He thinks you only care for me! That you probably don´t love hi..."

"That´s enough Itachi!" Fugaku interrupted harshly and Itachi knew he went too far. The leader´s eyes pierced dangerously into his own and even as an anbu, he felt a sick feeling in his stomach every time he saw his father in such an irritated state. "I won´t listen to this nonsense any longer. If your words would hold only the slightest grain of truth, I wouldn´t bother to reprimand your brother. I simple wouldn´t care what he does with his life. How dare you to reproach me something like that?!"
Itachi couldn´t help and lowered his head. It wasn´t his intention to offend his father in any way. He only wanted to figure out what was wrong with his little brother. He was worried about him. But the last thing he wanted, was to hurt his father´s feelings. Of course Fugaku Uchiha wouldn´t show him openly how much this supposition hurt him, but Itachi could see the light pained flickering into his, still narrowed eyes.

The anbu captain felt a pang of guilt in his chest as he bowed his head too the floor, into a apologetic gesture. "I´m sorry father, I haven´t meant to offend you with my words in any possible way. The only thing I can say for myself is, that I´m just worried about Sasuke. I was trying to figure out what is wrong with him. I know something bothers him and he isn´t happy rigth now. Please don´t.."

"I don´t want to hear any more from you! You may be Sasuke´s brother but he is still my son! And his upbringing is exclusively my concern." Fugaku´s voice was loud and definite. "Now go and get some rest, I think you need it."

When he looked up, Fugaku ignored him by looking back into the scroll. It was years ago, since the last time he had angered his father like that. At that time his mother was still alive and had mediated between father and son. But now he overdid it, even with the best intentions in helping his little brother. Nevertheless, he should´ve known better as to confront him with such assumptions, even if he knew, a part of them were true.

Nonetheless he felt guilty for talking to his father this way, even if he was only honest. After Mikoto´s death, the clan leader was loaded with enough burden. He was the leader of the Uchiha clan and the chief of the police force too. He had work to do from early in the morning, until late in too the night. Additionally, he had raised his two sons since three years alone. Maybe Itachi was unfair with his father but because of all the work, Fugaku had hardly time for Sasuke and he knew his brother suffered under it.

He stood up and walked slowly to the sliding door. Before he shoved the thin door open, he spoke to his father again. "I´m really sorry. I would never disrespect you or hurt your feelings on purpose. Please forgive me for my rudeness. You know I´m alway depressed, when I´ve upset you."

He waited for a moment but the older man replied nothing and so Itachi left the room with a heavy feeling in to his stomach. The older Uchiha boy made his way upstairs to his room. As he passed the Sasuke´s room, he stopped in his tracks and stood a moment in front of his brother´s door. He could clearly feel the younger boy´s presence inside the room. He felt the urge to knock and try to talk to his brother again but even before he raised his hand, he chased this thought away. Sasuke wouldn´t talk with him anyway and the last thing they needed now was to cause more trouble for today. So he stepped back and walked hesitantly to his own room.

The long haired anbu turned the light on, as he entered his room. He closed the door behind and stepped to the window in order to pull his curtains close. He removed his anbu vest and got rid of his armguards. After that, he removed his weaponsback from the seat of his pants and placed everything carefully into the drawer from his dresser. He opened another drawer and pulled out a fresh leisure suit, when his glance suddenly caught the framed picture, which was placed on the top of his dresser.

Itachi placed the leisure suit back in the drawer and grabbed with his right hand the picture. His eyes softened as he observed it.

It was a familiy picture, recorded shortly after Sasuke´s birth. Mikoto was holding the little bundle in her arms, while Itachi stood between her and Fugaku. He holded his father´s hand they all looked so happy, even Fugaku. They were a happy family at that time. But this times were long gone. When his mother died, she took away the happiness. Even Sasuke wasn´t the same without her anymore and there he was always such a sweet and carfree boy. And now, he could hardly remember when he saw Sasuke the last time sincerely smile.

Without their loving mother, wasn´t any security in this house. Her death left a hole nobody could close. He felt it and he knew Fugaku felt it too. And he could see, how much Sasuke felt it and suffered. Maybe their family fell apart after Mikoto´s death. But after she died, he had promised to take care for Sasuke and he realized what he had done for an aweful job.

"Why is everything this difficult without you mother." He mumbled. "I wish you could be here. We all need you."

But no matter, how much he had spoken this words in the past three years, nothing had changed. Of course death was death and as an anbu member he had more than enough experience with death. But this experience was as an shinobi. He did his duty too his village and shut off all his emotions. But his mother´s dead was different.

She was his mother, the woman whom gave birth to him. The woman had raised him, comforted him and accompanied him on his way to become a shinobi. In her presence he wasn´t a chunin, jonin or anbu member. No, he was Itachi her son. And that´s why her death had affected him deeply. He missed her even now. And so did Sasuke and their father too. So why was it this difficult to grieve together, as a family? Because that is what they are. But instead of holding together, they dissociate more and more from each other. And he could only ask himself, what was wrong with this family?

At first I want to thank for the reviews.

I´ve decided to write some coming chapters from Itachi´s and Fugaku´s view. I think it´s better to understand this way, the feelings of everyone. Maybe, the coming chapter will contain some flashbacks too, but I don´t know it yet.

Please let me know what you think and review! :) (criticism is always welcome too, especially about my spelling and grammer.)