Disclaimer: Standard.
A/N: A chapter to reveal some of Sasuke's past. Happy reading!
It was ten years ago when Sasuke was invited into the Kaguryu family. One of Monobe's disciples found him and brought him home. He was found sick in front of the mansion. For days, the Kaguryu attended to him until he was back to health. Monobe saw the potential in Sasuke's eyes and having nowhere to go; he let Sasuke stayed with them.
The Kaguryu fed Sasuke, clothe him and trained him. Monobe's kindness made his own son, Takizawa felt more distant. He was never so close to his father but now someone else was taking his place. His father trained Sasuke personally, was not the case but the fact that Sasuke learned very fast that made him jealous. It only took a week of physical training, and Sasuke was considered better in hand-to-hand combat. "He's a natural" praised Monobe over dinner. Takizawa only clenched his jaw, eating away his jealousy.
Sasuke, on the other hand, admired Takizawa. He always wanted to be as skillful as Takizawa in fighting. He never missed it when Takizawa spar with his father or the other disciples. Takizawa was always good in his sword skill only that he was harsh and forceful. And each time Sasuke tried to communicate with the guy, Takizawa simply ignored him. He even tensed when Sasuke was around. Thus, Sasuke learned by time to ignore him too.
/-/
"Fight me!" was Takizawa's first ever words to Sasuke. He pulled onto the Uchiha sleeve and glared into his onyx. It angered Takizawa when Sasuke's eyes were calmed, staring at him. The Uchiha even accepted his invitation with a smirk. He did not know that Sasuke was glad when he asked him for a fight. Takizawa had acknowledged him.
Their first fight was supposed to be a secret. No spectator in the dojo. Takizawa was holding his wooden sword while Sasuke with his bare hands. It seems unfair. The fight went on with Takizawa literally hitting on Sasuke. As a new learner, Sasuke was still slow and was never a fair opponent to Takizawa. Sasuke succumbed to the floor, shielding himself with his arms.
Monobe came in time after being told about the fight by Nami. Later that day, Takizawa was punished for it by kneeling in front of their ancestors' altar, holding up his wooden sword. He stayed that way for the whole four hours, until he was exhausted. Meanwhile Sasuke was on his bed, bandages all over his arms. He even broke his rib. For weeks, he could not train, and Nami cared for him all the while.
/-/
Sasuke was back to the training room once again after a month. He was given a wooden sword, just like Takizawa. And Monobe himself declared that he took Sasuke in as his own son. Takizawa did not like it a bit. Months passed with Sasuke intensively trained under his father supervision. He was getting better in his sword skill. "Sasuke nii-san is even better than Taki-nii" said Nami. And that sent Takizawa into the pit of anger. He left the dinner table.
Monobe tried so much not to let the brothers fight each other. But no matter what he did, Takizawa will never like Sasuke. That side of Monobe which made Sasuke respecting him most. He was serious during training but the other time; he was just a gentle father. "Taki... he was just like his mother. Strong-willed, never wither. But Taki is a bit harsh in his approached and he just doesn't like competitors. And you're a tough competitor" said Monobe when Sasuke asked why Takizawa disliked him.
So much for Sasuke to ignore Takizawa's jealousy, he was challenged for a fight once again. This time, both of them will fight with the wooden swords. The fight begin, and they were at par. None of them was giving up. Both attacked with the same force. The realization of Sasuke being able to counterattack him, made Takizawa fueled with rage. But again, the fight was halted by Monobe. This time, they were both punished.
The whole afternoon was spent with Sasuke on his knees, holding up his wooden sword, in front of the ancestors' altar. Takizawa was next to him. They did not speak a single word. The punishment ended when the two gave up. They could not even walk on their own. For a week, Sasuke's legs were still shaking because of the punishment. But it did not hinder his father to still train him harshly. Sasuke's years of growing up were all training and fighting with his brother.
/-/
Years passed. Sasuke grew up becoming a strong and handsome young man. And his swordsman skill was nearly perfect. He was admired by ladies for his handsome figure and strong physique. Meanwhile, men respected him for his prowess in battle. He was considered second to his father in swords skill. Takizawa put his jealousy aside as they grew older. He even went to missions and was not home often.
Then, Sasuke too, started to go on missions. He accepted missions from his father when he was at the age of twenty. And from then on, he was always away on his mission. He seldom failed his father's request and quickly, he became a favorite to his father. Takizawa felt even more threatened. He hated the fact that Sasuke had a place in his father's heart and even Nami's, she had always cared for Sasuke.
Monobe had acknowledged Sasuke's skill in swords and his compassion when confronting his opponent. He did not resolve to violent so fast and only draw his sword when needed. That made Monobe believe he could put the responsibility onto Sasuke. As a descendant of samurai himself, Monobe was glad he had found a perfect heir.
/-/
Present time.
Sasuke was now a twenty five years old young man. And he was now part of Kaguryu's clan and he had vowed to be loyal to his father. Thus, waking up that morning, Sasuke felt glad he was home again.
However, he recalled the yesterday's fight with Takizawa. It had been a long time since they last fight with each other. Sasuke unconsciously smiled. Although, he was a bit taken aback at Takizawa's request of having their sword unsheathed. So much for Sasuke wanted to fight Takizawa; he never had the intention to actually hurt him.