Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!
Inko was worried after the unrest at the Uchiha Clan had been settled, that Tobi hadn't returned. In fact, he hadn't come to see her for a year. She knew she had to look for clues.
She went straight to the Uchiha Enclave, stopping a man who was heading outside. "Excuse me Uchiha-san, can you tell me where a man named Tobi lives?"
"Tobi? Never heard of anyone who goes by that name, although I don't know everyone, hardly anyone does, the clan's gotten so large. Sorry, Miss."
"That's all right."
The blonde woman went on, before she saw a group of elderly women knitting scarves and chatting in a circle of chairs. She went over to them and greeted, "Good morning, Obaa-sama."
They stopped their talk and looked up at her. The oldest, who seemed to be the leader, replied, "Good morning, Ojou-san. Is there something we can help you with?"
"Do you know where a man called Tobi lives within the compound? I'm trying to locate him."
The old ladies looked at each other before the same one asked, "Is he in trouble, or are you two acquainted?"
"Oh, we're acquainted."
"Well then, if you must know, no child has been named that since before I was born, and I'm the oldest in the whole clan. The only person I've known with that name is the Nidaime Hokage, Senju Tobirama. Are you sure he didn't give you the wrong name just to play with you?"
The others giggled at the joke.
Inko sighed and bowed. "Thank you for your time, Obaa-sama. Good day."
"Good day, Ojou-san. I hope you find him."
She turned to go further into the enclave when she was nearly knocked over by Sasuke. He caught her sleeve and steadied her before going on, the grannies greeting in unison, "Good morning, Sasuke-sama!"
He didn't even acknowledge them, the white-haired women beginning to gossip.
"That poor boy, he's never been the same since his brother left."
"He was such a happy child, following Itachi-sama like a puppy."
"I wonder if the rumors about Itachi-sama being sighted in the area are true. He was just a boy when he left."
"A handsome little boy, he could've had any girl he'd wanted if Fugaku-sama hadn't trained him every spare moment of the day. I would've never treated my son in that manner."
The others voiced their agreement.
"A thin, wiry thing near the end, he looked like a skeleton for all his worth, with large, blank eyes. He was definitely his father's son, but he was gentle, like Mikoto-sama, Kami-sama bless her when she was still alive."
"I don't think anyone in that family's ever been the same since the incident that drove Itachi-sama away."
Inko blinked in confusion. Incident? There was actually something that had driven Itachi away from his clan and village? She didn't know why she was so curious, but it caused her to go back to the chatting women and ask, "Excuse me, what incident are you talking about, Obaa-sama?"
The leader blinked in surprise and answered, "That is a secret of the clan, Ojou-san. Why does it interest you?"
"When did Itachi-sama leave?"
"It's very rude to answer a question with another question, but I'll tell you. It was thirteen-and-a-half years ago, when Sasuke-sama was four years old. I have one of the only pictures of him left, since Fugaku-sama tore up and burned all the ones he could find. The only other is for his profile in the Bingo Book."
Inko gazed at the picture of the boy that couldn't be more than new-Genin age, a gentle smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes, which were blank. Blood dripped from the corner of his right eye, while tears gathered in the other. He had bangs that went just past his cheekbones parted down the middle, the rest in a short tail tied at the base of his neck. He wore an ANBU uniform without the mask, a tiny Sasuke, not even half his height, pulling on his hand as if to show him something.
A pang of recognition went through her at the sight of the older boy. It couldn't be that her Tobi and Itachi were the same person, were they?
"When was this taken?"
"Only the day before he left."
"Why do you have a photo of them?"
"I'm their great-grandmother."
"Oh… May I borrow this picture for a while?"
"Why?"
The Yamanaka woman bent over and whispered, "With it I may just find your missing great-grandson."
Wizened eyes turned hopeful and the photo was handed over.
Inko went to her room at the geisha home and went about her business, although underneath she awaited Tobi's return with anxious feelings.
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